# NTSB DEN85FA088: Bellanca 7GCAA, N6328N, Cornville, AZ, February 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1985, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Cornville, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.730194, -111.909652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7302&lon=-111.9097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A LOCAL FLT WITH THE OWNER/PRIVATE PLT & A STUDENT PLT ON BOARD. WHILE IN AEROBATIC FLT OVER A NARROW CANYON/GULLY AREA, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH & SEVERED 3 POWER LINES & A STATIC LINE, LOCATED APRX 100 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED & CAME TO REST IN THE CANYON. ACCORDING TO A SHERIFF'S REPORT, THERE WAS A LOW CEILING & POOR VISIBILITY; HOWEVER, A WITNESS ESTIMATED A SKY CONDITION OF 5000 FT OVERCAST & SAID THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF VITREOUS FLUIDS SHOWED THE PLT/OWNER HAD AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.097% & THE STUDENT HAD AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.05%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6328N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6328N-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 88, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 88
- Airframe hours: 8630
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel M. Mccarty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1984, 594 hours before
- Departed: P52, CORNVILLE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 275 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °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 19850228007029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850228007029A), Feb 28, 1985: Bbavia 7GCAA, Cornville, AZ, Destroyed. Struck powerlines while maneuvering in canyons and impacted ground. Under the influence of alcohol.

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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