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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 14, 1988 · Bellanca 7GCAA · N57415

Sutcliffe, NV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sutcliffe, NV
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCAA
Tail Number
N57415
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA88LA094

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO EXECUTE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER WITNESSES ALONG THE SHORELINE OF A LAKE. DURING ONE OF THE PASSES AND WHILE TRACKING NORTHWEST, THE PILOT DROPPED A PACKAGE OF LIFE PRESERVERS FROM AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 75 FEET AGL AND WHILE FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT FOLLOWED. THE WITNESS REPORTED WINDS OF 7-10 MPH OUT OF THE WEST AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL REPORTED NORTHERLY WINDS AT 15-20 MPH AND GUSTING. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 5500 FEET MSL. THE PILOT'S FLT TIME WAS OBTAINED FROM HIS FAA MEDICAL RECORDS.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO EXECUTE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER WITNESSES ALONG THE SHORELINE OF A LAKE. DURING ONE OF THE PASSES AND WHILE TRACKING NORTHWEST, THE PILOT DROPPED A PACKAGE OF LIFE PRESERVERS FROM AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 75 FEET AGL AND WHILE FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT FOLLOWED. THE WITNESS REPORTED WINDS OF 7-10 MPH OUT OF THE WEST AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL REPORTED NORTHERLY WINDS AT 15-20 MPH AND GUSTING. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 5500 FEET MSL. THE PILOT'S FLT TIME WAS OBTAINED FROM HIS FAA MEDICAL RECORDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCAA
Tail NumberN57415
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 4 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data