# NTSB DEN91FA013: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5058J, Belen, NM, October 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1990, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Belen, NM
- Coordinates: 34.649875, -106.769065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6499&lon=-106.7691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA013

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE (GROUND CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE DESERT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO AVAILABLE INFO, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO PRACTICE AEROBATICS. DURING THE FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED ON RELATIVELY FLAT, DESERT TERRAIN, JUST TO THE EAST OF A LARGE GULLY. THE INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED ON A HEADING OF 087 DEG. PIECES OF THE LANDING GEAR WERE FOUND IN THE INITIAL IMPACT DEPRESSION, WHICH WAS 6 INCHES DEEP. ABOUT 15 FT SOUTH OF THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT WAS A SCAR THAT CONTAINED THE RIGHT WINGTIP CAP. THE LEFT WINGTIP CAP WAS FOUND ABOUT 18 FT NORTHEAST OF THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST 71 FT EAST OF THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT ON A SLIGHT RISE IN THE TERRAIN. ONE PROP BLADE WAS DISTORED WITH AN 'S' CURVE, THE OTHER BLADE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5058J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5058J-1991-04-05), registration cancelled 1991-04-05, S/N 55179 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 551-79
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark L. Bode
- Registered owner: John R. Bode
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: E98, LOS LUNAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 591 total, 160 in this make and model, 492 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ABQ, 30 nm away

## 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 19901026047159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901026047159A), Oct 26, 1990: Bbavia 8KCAB, Belen, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. High speed ground impact and fire. Victims were on a acrobatic practice flight. No mechanical problems found.

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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