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NTSB Report
September 14, 1986 · Bellanca 8GCBC · N53899
Woodbine, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Woodbine, MD
Aircraft
Bellanca 8GCBC
Tail Number
N53899
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO86FA047
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT NOSE OVER INTO A DIVE AFTER THE GLIDER IT HAD BEEN TOWING RELEASED. THEY THEN SAW IT ROLL AND DURING THE ROLL THE LEFT WING DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE CFI IN THE GLIDER HAD OBSERVED THE PILOT OF N53899 PERFORM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SNAP ROLL ON THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRCRAFT AFTER HE RELEASED FROM N53899, BOTH HE AND HIS STUDENT HEARD ENGINE NOISES SIMILIAR TO THE NOISES THEY HAD HEARD ON THE PRIOR FLIGHT WHEN THEY OBSERVED THE ROLL MANEUVER. REPEATED DETAILED EXAMINATIONS OF THE SEPARATED WING DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-EXISTING FAILURE AREAS.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT NOSE OVER INTO A DIVE AFTER THE GLIDER IT HAD BEEN TOWING RELEASED. THEY THEN SAW IT ROLL AND DURING THE ROLL THE LEFT WING DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE CFI IN THE GLIDER HAD OBSERVED THE PILOT OF N53899 PERFORM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SNAP ROLL ON THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRCRAFT AFTER HE RELEASED FROM N53899, BOTH HE AND HIS STUDENT HEARD ENGINE NOISES SIMILIAR TO THE NOISES THEY HAD HEARD ON THE PRIOR FLIGHT WHEN THEY OBSERVED THE ROLL MANEUVER. REPEATED DETAILED EXAMINATIONS OF THE SEPARATED WING DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-EXISTING FAILURE AREAS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 EDT
Nearest AirportWOODBINE (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 8GCBC
Tail NumberN53899
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC