# NTSB MKC77FA016: Bellanca 8KCAB, N53980, Valparaiso, NE, February 26, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 26, 1977
- Place: Valparaiso, NE · VALPARAISO, NE
- Location: 41.0801° N, 96.8336° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valparaiso, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0801&lon=-96.8336&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC77FA016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FA016

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0160  77/2/26    VALPARAISO,NE       BELLANCA 8KCAB      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 58, 3700
        TIME - 1558                    N53980              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OMAHA,NE                    GRAND ISLAND,NE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PIC ATTEMPTED AEROBATICS AT AN ALT TOO LOW TO RECOVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53980](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53980-1977-05-06), registration cancelled 1977-05-06, S/N 24276 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770226004299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770226004299A), Feb 26, 1977: Blanca 8KCA/, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal

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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