On July 5, 1991, a Bellanca 8KCAB (registration N68560) operated by Charles K. Gard was involved in an aviation accident near Pomeroy, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN AFTER THE PILOT BECAME INCAPACITATED DUE TO AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO BEE STINGS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RECOGNIZE THE SITUATION IN TIME TO MAKE THE RECOVERY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A flight instructor in the front seat and aircraft owner in the rear experienced a stall and descent. The rear pilot did not take control in time. Bee and wasp nests were found, and the front pilot had a history of severe bee sting allergy.
Incident Overview
An airplane with a flight instructor in the front seat and the aircraft owner in the rear seat was observed to enter a stall and descend to the ground. The pilot in the front seat reported no memory of the impact. The pilot in the rear seat stated that he was unaware of any problem with the other pilot and did not take control of the airplane in time to prevent the accident.
Findings During Disassembly
During post-accident disassembly of the airplane, a bee nest was discovered in the tail section, and a wasp nest was found under the pilot’s seat.
Medical Information
Hospital records disclosed that the certified flight instructor (CFI) in the front seat was very allergic to bee stings. The medical treatment that the pilot in the front seat reported receiving was consistent with an allergic reaction to bee stings.