# NTSB FTW85FA034: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5064L, El Reno, OK, November 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1984, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: El Reno, OK
- Coordinates: 35.540966, -97.960464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5410&lon=-97.9605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED ON IMPACT WITH THE GROUND AFTER BEING OBSERVED BY GROUND WITNESSES TO GO OUT OF CONTROL DURING ANAEROBATIC MANEUVER. THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. ONE WITNESS DESCRIBED THE GROUND COLLISION HAVING BEEN FROM AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. TWO OTHERS STATED THAT THE ACFT ROLLED RIGHT-SIDE-UP AND LOOPED, DIVING INTO THE GROUND. THE PLT WAS EXPERIENCED AVIATOR, BUT HAD LITTLE AEROBATIC EXPERIENCE. HIS LOG INDICATED NO AEROBATIC TRAINING. HE HAD LOGGED 8 FLTS IN THE ACCIDENT ACFT AND PRACTICED AEROBATICS ON 2 OF THOSE FLIGHTS. THE ACFT IS CAPABLE OF INVERTED FLT FOR 2 MINUTES. A PRECAUTION NOTES THAT AFTER INVERTED FLT, ONE MINUTE POSITIVE 'G' FLT MAYBE REQUIRED TO REFILL AN EXHAUSTED HEADER FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5064L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5064L-1984-12-21), registration cancelled 1984-12-21, S/N 58580 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab-180) (registry code 1220802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 585-80
- Airframe hours: 452
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Novotny, Michael P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1984, 16 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 15 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 28 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 19841102075659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841102075659A), Nov 2, 1984: Bbavia 8KCAB, El Reno, OK, Destroyed. Low level aerobatics. Witnesses say went straight down from inverted flight. Others stated fell from top of loop.

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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