Bellanca 8KCAB accident near Fairfield, Iowa, April 26, 1982
On April 26, 1982 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, registered N5035N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairfield, Iowa (Fairfield Municipal). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1982 · about 11:45 pm local time · cases in 1982
- Place
- Fairfield, Iowa · Fairfield Municipal · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 8KCAB · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N5035N · registry record · serial 470-79
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO FLY DOWN THE RUNWAY TO HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER TAKE PICTURES TO BE USED IN PUBLICITY FOR AIRSHOWS. AFTER SEVERAL PASSES (ONE INVERTED), THE PILOT LANDED TO TALK WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER. THE PHOTOGRAPHER STATED THEY AGREED THAT A SLOW ROLL PROVIDED THE MOST POSSIBILITIES FOR A GOOD PICTURE. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND CIRCLED THE FIELD TO BEGIN THE PASS FROM THE SOUTH. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS TO START THE MANEUVER FROM ABOUT 100 FT. AFTER STARTING A SLOW ROLL, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OF FAILURES OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WERE FOUND. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,803 hours in all; 1,160 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 2,803 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 763 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 104 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-320-E2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFL Fairfield IA at 5:20 pm
- Destination: FFL Fairfield IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 4,000 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 154°F (68°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from OTM
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N5035N on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Bellanca 8 Decathlon and Scout 554 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Bellanca 2,699 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-320-E2B 6 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Fairfield Municipal · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Iowa 871 since 1982 · 131 in the last ten years
- Iowa 4,514 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/MKC82FCD07.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.