Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while flying toward the rising sun, which interfered with his ability to see the terrain.
NTSB analysis
The airplane impacted rising terrain while traveling in a generally eastward direction. Postaccident examination of the airplane and its systems did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. At the time of the accident, the airplane was travelling east into the rising sun. The sun’s position was about 14 degrees above the horizon and 80 degrees east of north. It is likely that the pilot was blinded by the sun during this portion of the flight and did not see the rising terrain.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12FA517 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Imperial, Nebraska
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 7GCBC
- N-number
- N36286
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.