# NTSB LAX88FA023: Bellanca 7KCAB, N8645V, Red Bluff, CA, October 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1987, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Red Bluff, CA
- Coordinates: 40.129772, -122.430145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1298&lon=-122.4301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ASKED TO MOVE HIS AIRCRAFT FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP ON WHICH HE HAD LANDED WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL. AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT MADE A LEFT WINGOVER, REVERSED COURSE AND BUZZED THE RUNWAY AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 30 - 40 FEET. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND, NEAR THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT ENTERED A BARREL ROLL. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE COMPLETION OF THE ROLL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8645V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8645V-1989-03-28), registration cancelled 1989-03-28, S/N 50875 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 508-75
- Airframe hours: 1127
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lou Fields Flight
- Registered owner: Fields, Louis B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1987, 86 hours before
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: 74Q, Dye Creek Ranch, runway 29, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 220 total, 9 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 10 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 19871025060419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871025060419A), Oct 25, 1987: Bbavia 7KCAB, Red Bluff, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Advised to remove plane from Private Airport. Did a barrel roll over runway at 30 feet AGL after takeoff and crashed

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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