Bellanca 7KCAB accident near Friona, Texas, October 22, 1989
On October 22, 1989 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, registered N7632S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Friona, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO PERFORM AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER DURING INITIAL CLIMB OUT WITH INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 22, 1989 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Friona, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7KCAB · all 7KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N7632S · registry record · serial 575-76
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS DEPARTING FROM THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND EXECUTED AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO IMPACT INTO A WHEAT FIELD. THE INEXPERIENCED PILOT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S FATHER STATED THAT HIS SON HAD BEEN WARNED OF THE DANGERS OF THIS PRACTICE ON NUMEROUS PRIOR OCCASIONS.
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
- Flight time: 120 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 105 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-320-E2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 5,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.