# NTSB LAX89LA009: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5508H, Alpine, CA, October 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1988, 13:42 local (20:42 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, CA
- Location: 32.8428° N, 116.7554° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alpine, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8428&lon=-116.7554&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,elevator control - undetermined (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - erratic (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - engaged
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST RECOVERED FROM A ONE TURN SPIN AND WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT WHEN HE FELT THE AIRPLANE PITCH UP. HE ADDED A SMALL AMOUNT OF NOSE DOWN TRIM AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN. HE STATED THAT AT THIS POINT 'THINGS DID NOT FEEL RIGHT'. HE PULLED BACK ON THE STICK AND IT DID NOT MOVE WELL, NOR WOULD IT CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. AFTER TRYING TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM AND A ATTEMPT TO TURN TOWARDS A POSSIBLE LANDING AREA, THE PILOT DECIDED TO EGRESS FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONDUCTED BY FAA INSPECTORS AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. MOST OF THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT, HOWEVER THOSE CONTROL MECHANISMS THAT WERE NOT DESTROYED WERE FOUND TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. THE CONTROL STICK WAS BROKEN AT THE ATTACH POINT, HOWEVER AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE STICK WAS BROKEN DURING IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5508H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5508H-1989-01-13), registration cancelled 1989-01-13, S/N 43178 (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: 43178
- Airframe hours: 1579
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William P. Oglesby   III
- Registered owner: Oglesby, William P. III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: SEE, EL CAJON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 758 total, 272 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881005044489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881005044489A), Oct 5, 1988: Bbavia 8KCAB, Alpine, CA, Destroyed. Pilot beleived control system inoperative after spin maneuver and bailed out. No control defects found after crash.

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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