# NTSB NYC92LA121: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8736V, Bedford, NH, June 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1992, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, NH
- Location: 42.9465° N, 71.5159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bedford, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9465&lon=-71.5159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA121

## Probable cause

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT AS THE RESULT OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, RESULTING IN HIS FAILURE OR INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN BUZZING RESIDENCES AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE 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
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER SAID THEY WERE FLYING OVER AN AREA WHERE SOME OF THE PILOT'S FRIENDS LIVED. THEY WERE FLYING FAIRLY LOW, DOING DESCENTS AND PULL-UPS. AT ONE POINT, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP BANK AND DESCENT. THE PASSENGER EXPECTED THE PILOT TO PULL UP AGAIN, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED THE DESCENT UNTIL IT STRUCK THE TREES. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGY RESULT INDICATED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 400 MG/DL. THE CONSULTING PHYSICIAN REPORTED '... AS SUDDEN INCREASE TO THAT LEVEL IN A PERSON NOT USED TO THAT LEVEL WOULD PRODUCE COMA.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8736V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8736V-1994-06-08), registration cancelled 1994-06-08, S/N 84775 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 847-75
- Airframe hours: 1150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lucien A. Fradette
- Registered owner: Lucien A. Fradette
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: ASH, NASHUA, NH
- Destination: ASH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 938 total, 814 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 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 19920619021259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920619021259A), Jun 19, 1992: Bbavia 7GCBC, Bedford, NH, Substantial damage. Observed low altitude acrobatics. Crashed into trees during vertical bank. Blood test shows pilot was intoxicated.

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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