Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Eklutna, Alaska, April 4, 1989
On April 4, 1989 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N86836, was destroyed in an accident near Eklutna, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 1989 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Eklutna, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N86836 · no longer on the register · serial 687-74
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND HIS STUDENT PILOT SON WERE FATALLY INJURED WHEN THEY CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE WHILE PRESUMABLY TAKING VIDEO MOVIES OF SHEEP. THREE PERSONS ON THE GROUND HAD SEEN THE AIRPLANE CIRCLING NEAR THE SHEEP ABOUT THREE MINUTES BEFORE SEEING THE SMOKE FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE FATHER AND SON JOINTLY OPERATED A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS. THE FATHER'S LAST FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 3-2-76. THE AIRPLANE WAS USING AUTO GAS FOR WHICH IT HAD NOT BEEN GRANTED A STC.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 205 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 172 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,377 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 29, 1988; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Z15 Chugiak AK at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.