# NTSB MIA88LA080: Bellanca 14-13, N8429H, Merritt Island, FL, January 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1988, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Coordinates: 28.32031, -80.67945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3203&lon=-80.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA080

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AFTER TAKEOFF. HE THEN COLLIDED WITH WATER AFTER HITTING A MAST OF A BOAT AND A DOCK. THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED CARBURETOR ICE PRIOR TO THE ENG QUITTING. THE PLT STATED THAT ON AN EARLIER FLT HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH CARB ICE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THIS FLT WAS FOR A TEST OF THE LNDG GEAR. HE STATED THAT ANOTHER ACFT ON A X-COUNTRY HAD USED CARB HEAT FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP. HE STATED IN HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION TO USE CARB HEAT FOR TAKEOFF IN SIMILAR TEMP/DP CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8429H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8429H-1993-04-30), registration cancelled 1993-04-30, S/N 1062 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13) (registry code 1201002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1062
- Airframe hours: 3825
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A5-165-B3 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Destination: MLB, MELBORUNE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 800 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 31 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 19880102033569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880102033569A), Jan 2, 1988: Blanca 1413, Cocoa, FL, Destroyed. Forced landing in river when engine quit on takeoff. Hit boat and dock. Carburetor ice possible factor.

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.
