# NTSB NYC87FA124: Bellanca 8KCAB, N377SW, New Milford, CT, April 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1987, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: New Milford, CT
- Location: 41.5692° N, 73.4621° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CANDLELIGHT FARMS (11N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5692&lon=-73.4621&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 16 AT THE CANDLELIGHT FARMS AIRPORT, THE FLIGHT REMAINED LOW OVER THE RUNWAY WHILE GAINING AIRSPEED. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE UPWIND END OF THE RUNWAY, WITNESSES OBSERVED IT ENTER A STEEP CLIMB THAT CONTINUED TO AN ESTIMATED HEIGHT OF 700 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN. AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB, THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DIVING SPIRAL THAT CONTINUED UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ON THE AIRPORT NEAR THE UPWIND END OF THE RUNWAY. EXAM OF THE ACFT AND ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACFT COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N377SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N377SW-1999-01-20), registration cancelled 1999-01-20, S/N 5573 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5573
- Airframe hours: 1258
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Seagram & Sons,Inc.
- Registered owner: Joseph E Seagram & Sons, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1986
- Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Airport: 11N, Candlelight Farms, runway 15, 2,600 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,484 total, 62 in this make and model, 5,545 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DXR, 12 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 19870415059819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870415059819A), Apr 15, 1987: Bbavia 8KCAB, New Milford, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stayed low on takeoff. Steep climb at end of runway. Stalled. Hit ground in a steep nose down attitude. Post fire.

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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