# NTSB SEA86FA020: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5051C, N.Battle Moun., NV, October 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1985, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: N.Battle Moun., NV
- Coordinates: 40.46973, -117.029441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4697&lon=-117.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AFTER ATTEMPTING AN AEROBATTIC MANEUVER AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A LOOP OR CLIMBING ROLL AND DIVEINTO THE GROUND. NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.  MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE PILOTS FLYING TIME HAD BEEN IN THIS ARCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5051C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5051C-1989-03-04), registration cancelled 1989-03-04, S/N 114479 (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: 1144-79
- Airframe hours: 5210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George W. Kiesel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 29, 1985, 35 hours before
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAM, 30 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 19851030054469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851030054469A), Oct 30, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Battle Mountain, NV, Destroyed. Flew over camping area and entered into a loop at low altitude. Dived into the ground.

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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