# NTSB SEA88LA189: Bellanca 7ECA, N1047Y, Toledo, WA, September 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1988, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, WA
- Coordinates: 46.450561, -122.760139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4506&lon=-122.7601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - precautionary landing - attempted
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM AN UNCONTROLLED STRIP IN MARGINAL WX CONDS, BELIEVING HE COULD AFFECT A DEPARTURE TO GOOD VFR CONDS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE ENCTRD SOLID IMC & MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL & HAVING LOST ALTITUDE, HE OBSERVED TERRAIN BELOW & ATTEMPTED AN OFF ARPT LANDING IN A FIELD. HIS SPEED WAS TOO FAST FOR A NORMAL LANDING. TO AVOID TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD, HE TURNED LEFT WITHOUT APPLYING POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1047Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1047Y-1992-08-27), registration cancelled 1992-08-27, S/N 110775 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1975-07
- Airframe hours: 1520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugh R. Hudson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1987, 96 hours before
- Departed: TDO
- Destination: RTN, RENTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 257 total, 151 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm

## 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 19880925041229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880925041229A), Sep 25, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Toledo, WA, Substantial damage. Took off into marginal weather, got into clouds. Lost control but recovered and broke out. Stalled turning to land.

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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