# NTSB DEN83LA176: Bellanca 7GCAA, N8626V, Elbert, CO, July 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1983, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Elbert, CO
- Coordinates: 39.219036, -104.529922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2190&lon=-104.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA176

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS, AN AIRSTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADEIN AN OPEN FIELD SURROUNDED BY TREES. DURING THE LANDING ONE WING HIT A TREE CAUSING THE ACFT TO VEER INTO A CREEK. THE PLT SAID HE HAD TAKEN OFF WITH TANKS HALF FULL OF FUEL. INVESTIGATION OF THE ACFT SHOWED WATER IN THE FUEL AND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALSO A SPLIT SEAL WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL CAP OF THE RIGHT TANK. THE ACFT WAS NOT HANGERED AND THERE HAD BEENHEAVY RAIN FOR THE TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8626V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8626V), registered now, S/N 312-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 321-75
- Airframe hours: 1180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wings Of Denver Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1983, 52 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 615 total, 150 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830724035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830724035289A), Jul 24, 1983: Bbavia 7GCAA, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit during acrobatic practice. Struck a tree on forced landing. Water in fuel. Leaky fuel caps in main.

## Other investigations on N8626V (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC05LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA094), Jul 3, 2005: Bellanca 7GCAA (N8626V), Whittier, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's becoming lost/disoriented while maneuvering due to inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing in tree-covered terrain. A factor…

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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