# NTSB FTW94FA023: Bellanca 8KCAB, N130KS, Saratoga, AR, October 30, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 1993, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Saratoga, AR - Coordinates: 33.770523, -93.880096 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7705&lon=-93.8801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18865/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA023 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATICS AT AN ALTITUDE WHERE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis WITNESSES OBSERVED A SERIES OF AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ROLL INTO A 90 DEGREE BANK AT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN ROLL INVERTED. THEY FURTHER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ROLL UPRIGHT AS IT LOST ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE MADE A RIGHT TURN AND CLEARED SOME OF THE TREES; HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR A COMPLETE RECOVERY AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SEVERAL TREES. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On October 30, 1993, at 1600 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N130KS, sustained substantial damage near Saratoga, Arkansas, when it impacted the terrain and trees while maneuvering. The private pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. During interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, witnesses revealed the following information. The airplane departed Texarkana, Arkansas, at approximately 1525. At 1550 the airplane was observed performing several aerobatic maneuvers at an estimated altitude of 1,500 feet above the ground. The airplane was subsequently observed descending as the pilot performed several left 180 degree rolls to the inverted position. The airplane was described as "lower to the ground with each maneuver." The airplane then made two passes over the witnesses and rolled into a left turn, as the pilot "waved at the witnesses." During the third pass, the airplane rolled 360 degrees to the left into an inverted position. The airplane was observed descending toward trees as it rolled upright. A descending turn was made to the right (southeast) when the airplane impacted the ground and trees. PERSONNEL INFORMATION: During personal and telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, with acquaintances and flight instructors, the following information was revealed. The pilot purchased the airplane on June 20, 1993. On July 13, 1993, the pilot received the tailwheel airplane endorsement for competency in normal and crosswind takeoff and landings, including wheel landings. During the instructional periods, flight maneuvers were done at or above 3,500 feet above the ground. No aerobatic maneuvers were done during the dual flights. One acquaintance said that he and the pilot had done aerobatic maneuvers in the Bellanca; however, they were not performed below 4,000 feet above the ground. Pilot logbooks were not located during the investigation. The medical certificate expired in July 1993. An enclosed statement from a medical associate reported that the pilot "was in excellent health." WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION: The main wreckage came to rest at 33 degrees 45 minutes north longitude and 93 degrees 52 minutes west latitude. At 210 feet southeast of 75 foot trees there was a ground scar with pieces of red paint and fabric. The right wing came to rest in trees to the southeast of the ground scar. The fuselage and cockpit were reported by local authorities to have come to rest 15 feet above the ground in the trees. They further stated that the trees were cut during the rescue procedures. The wreckage distribution path was along a measured magnetic heading of 115 degrees. For additional details refer to the enclosed diagram. Flight control cable examination did not reveal any discrepancies. Fuel lines, fittings, and fuel tank integrity were compromised. The fuel selector valve and cockpit engine controls were destroyed. Local authorities reported physical evidence of fuel at the site. Elevator and rudder trim tabs were destroyed. The propeller blades exhibited scratches, bending, and twisting. Striations and gouges were observed on the outer tip and leading edge of the propeller blades. The engine was examined and there were no discrepancies found that would have contributed to the accident. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION: An autopsy was performed by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory of Little Rock, Arkansas. Toxicological findings were negative. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The airplane was released to the owner's representative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N130KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130KS-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 588-80, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 588-80 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brown, Samuel F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1993 - Departed: TXK, TEXARKANA, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 283 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 25 knots, gusting 33 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °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 19931030041089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931030041089A), Oct 30, 1993: Bbavia 8KCAB, Saratoga, AR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Rolled inverted 100FT AGL, rolled upright. Hit turn impacted ground. Hit trees. Insufficient altitude to recover. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.