# NTSB DEN78FA043: Bellanca BL-J4, N8774R, Carrizozo, NM, May 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1978
- Place: Carrizozo, NM · CARRIZOZO, NM
- Location: 33.6433° N, 105.8411° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Carrizozo, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6433&lon=-105.8411&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN78FA043
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA043

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3375   78/5/5    CARRIZOZO,NM        BELLANCA BL-J4      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 389
        TIME - 2130                    N8774R              PX-  1  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 172 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CARRIZOZO MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TUMCUMCARI,NM               PHOENIX,AR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY WEATHER BUREAU PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          BLOWING DUST                                             250
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           35                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 5/13/78.WIND GUSTING 50K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8774R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA BL-J4
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Carrizozo Muni

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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