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).
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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 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1982 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fairfield, Iowa · Fairfield Municipal · 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 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number MKC82FCD07.