# NTSB LAX93LA030: Bellanca 8KCAB, N57644, Pahrump, NV, November 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1992, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Pahrump, NV
- Location: 36.2083° N, 115.9839° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pahrump, NV, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2083&lon=-115.9839&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PULL UP ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - open field
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS.  GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A SERIES OF MANEUVERS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO A SPIN.  THE AIRCRAFT RECOVERED FROM THE SPIN, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT EXPLODED ON IMPACT AND THE CABIN/COCKPIT AREA WAS INCINERATED BY THE POST IMPACT FIRE. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER THROUGHOUT THE MANEUVERS. INVESTIGATORS ESTABLISHED CONTINUITY OF THE EMPENNAGE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE CABIN/COCKPIT AREA. THE PROPELLER BLADES DISPLAYED EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57644](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57644-1994-11-29), registration cancelled 1994-11-29, S/N 12574 (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: 125-74
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Woods, Elwood
- Registered owner: Deca Aire, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1992, 108 hours before
- Departed: NV74

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 28 in this make and model, 896 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19921105047719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921105047719A), Nov 5, 1992: Bbavia 8KCAB, Pahrump, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Spun out of a acrobatic maneuver. Began recovery but impacted ground and exploded.

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.