# NTSB NYC84FA306: Bellanca 8GCBC, N86859, Wilmot, NH, September 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1984, 10:54 local (14:54 UTC)
- Place: Wilmot, NH
- Location: 43.4517° N, 71.9137° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wilmot, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4517&lon=-71.9137&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA306

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,skin - separation (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW A RT WING SECTION SEPARATE WHEN THE ACFT WAS IN A LOOP. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND CRASHED AFTERWARDS. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUS AEROBATIC EXPERIENCE IN GLIDERS. NO RECORDS WERE DISCLOSED REVEALING PILOT FLIGHT TIME IN POWERED ACFT. THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR NO LOOPS. THE ACFT WAS NOT AEROBATIC CERTIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N86859 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7/74
- Airframe hours: 435
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kearsarge Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1984, 38 hours before
- Departed: NEW LONDON, NH
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 841 total, 11 in this make and model, 718 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEB, 25 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 19840908047509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840908047509A), Sep 8, 1984: Bbavia 8GCBC, Wilmot, NH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Portion of right wing failed at bottom of low level loop. Uncontrolled descent to ground. Normal category aircraft.

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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