Bellanca 8GCBC accident near Zahl, ND
On June 4, 2012, a Bellanca 8GCBC (airplane) was involved in an accident near Zahl, ND. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 4, 2012
- Place
- Zahl, ND
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 8GCBC · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.561°N, 103.681°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120605X05800
Official records · CEN12LA336
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On June 4, 2012, about 1400 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N88095, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Zahl, North Dakota. Witnesses stated that the airplane engine sputtered and the airplane then descended in a nose-down attitude. Examination of the airplane revealed no usable fuel aboard. The uncertificated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the flight that originated from Crosby, North Dakota. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the wreckage was in a rural area approximately 10 miles southwest of Crosby, North, Dakota. Witnesses stated pilot was flying low and maneuvering between the gravel piles of a gravel pit adjacent to the crash site. One witness stated, in his opinion, the pilot was flying carelessly. Witnesses stated that the pilot was flying 20-25 feet above the ground when the airplane appeared to level out over a field, went straight up while executing a half spiral, nosed-over, and impacted terrain. The pilot, age 33, held a student pilot certificate and airman medical certificate that was expired. At the time of his last airman medical certificate which was dated April 27, 1997, He reported a total flight time of 15 hours of which 6 hours were in the last 6 months. The airman medical certificate was a third class with the
Probable cause
The non-certificated pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and his failure to maintain airplane control after a total loss of engine power.
More accidents in ND
- Cessna 401A, Feb 24, 1994
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Browse: North Dakota · Bellanca aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
