Bellanca 8GCBC accident near Selz, North Dakota, July 25, 1984
On July 25, 1984 at about 11:40 pm local time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, registered N88176, was substantially damaged in an accident near Selz, North Dakota. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 1984 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Selz, North Dakota
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 8GCBC · all 8GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N88176 · registry record · serial 87-74
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A NARROW DIRT ROAD. AFTER STOPPING THE PLT EGRESSED AND RAN. HE SAID THAT ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE FUEL TANKS BLEW. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE FIRE WAS IN THE ALTERNATOR. IT APPEARED TO TORCH AND IGNITE FUEL LINES. THE PLT DID NOT MENTION CUTTING OFF THE FUEL OR IGNITION AT ANY TIME DURING THE EMERGENCY.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 627 hours in all; 124 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 596 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,180 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 10, 1984; 94 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C2E (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Selz ND at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from DVL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.