# NTSB LAX91LA293: Bellanca 8KCAB, N29BB, Shoshone, CA, July 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1991, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Shoshone, CA
- Location: 35.9512° N, 116.3051° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shoshone, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9512&lon=-116.3051&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA293

## Probable cause

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF THE BATTERY CABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,battery - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT SMELLED SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT NEAR THE BATTERY STORAGE AREA. MOMENTS LATER FIRE ERUPTED IN THE LOWER LEFT COCKPIT AREA. BLACK SMOKE FROM THE OIL LINES BEGAN TO FILL THE COCKPIT AND THE FIRE BECAME MORE INTENSE CAUSING SERIOUS BURN INJURIES TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT BUT THE BURNING FIRE PREVENTED HIM FROM MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE BATTERY CABLE SHORTED AND BURNT THROUGH THE OIL AND FUEL PUMP LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29BB-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 13-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13-72
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-320-E1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven W. Nimcheski
- Registered owner: Robert W. Nimcheski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1991, 5 hours before
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: L-61, Shoshone, runway 16, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,100 total, 500 in this make and model, 7,850 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910707026209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910707026209A), Jul 7, 1991: Bbavia 8KCAB, Shoshone, CA, Destroyed. Fire erupted under rudder pedals on upwind pattern. Landed but lost control. Nosed over. Battery cable shorted.

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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