# NTSB LAX88LA164: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5504S, Florence, AZ, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Florence, AZ
- Location: 33.0315° N, 111.3873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Florence, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0315&lon=-111.3873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT, RESTARTED, THEN QUIT COMPLETELY.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A DRY WASH WHERE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  APPROXIMATELY 4 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS FOUND AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE INSPECTION. THE ENG RAN SATISFACTORILY AT ALL POWER SETTINGS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 25 MILES OFF COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5504S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5504S), registered now, S/N 277-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 277-78
- Airframe hours: 594
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-CIE 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johnson, Kenneth A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,882 total, 13 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: PHX

## 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 19880417009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417009439A), Apr 17, 1988: Bbavia 8GCBC, Florence, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Nosed over landing in a dry wash. Found paint chips in gas line according to pilot.

## Other investigations on N5504S (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX89LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA024), Oct 23, 1988: Bellanca 8GCBC (N5504S), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage

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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