# NTSB SEA88LA068: Bellanca 7KCAB, N86820, Palmer, WA, March 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 16:10 local (Mar 28, 1988, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, WA
- Location: 47.3143° N, 121.8923° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmer, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3143&lon=-121.8923&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT EQUIPPED, EVEN THOUGH THE PILOT IS INSTRUMENT RATED. THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE TWO PRECAUTIONARY LANDINGS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT TO AWAIT IMPROVING WEATHER. ALTHOUGH WEATHER BRIEFERS HAD TOLD THE PILOT THAT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED ALONG HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT, DUE TO LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. AT ABOUT 23 MILES FROM THE PILOTS PROPOSED DESTINATION, HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITIES WITH LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A LOGGING ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A PILE OF LOGS DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86820](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86820), registered now, S/N 433-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 433-74
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Slink, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 1988, 25 hours before
- Departed: A15S, LESTER, WA
- Destination: TIW, TACOMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,420 total, 190 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 150 ft overcast

## 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 19880327034969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327034969A), Mar 27, 1988: Bbavia 7KCAB, Palmer, WA, Destroyed. Forced landing on logging road due to IMC weather. Plane struck pile of logs and stumps on rollout. Plane destroyed.

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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