N4142Y – Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon – PARTner 91 Arizona Aircraft

1976 Bellanca
8KCAB Decathlon
N4142Y

An Always-Hangared, Beautifully Balanced Aerobatic Classic,
ready for light backcountry duty if desired

Airframe TTAF	Engine SMOH	Prop SPOH
2550	1055	275

$107,000 USD

Experience the perfect balance of pure tailwheel freedom, excellent aerobatic capabilities, and backcountry accessibility.

The Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon represents the pinnacle of versatile, tandem tailwheel aviation. Renowned for its robust design and responsive handling, this capable aircraft serves as the perfect platform for casual pilots seeking a pure, stick-and-rudder weekend cruiser, while simultaneously offering the inverted fuel and oil systems required for aerobatics (+6g to -5g), and the tire setup for some backcountry strips.

Whether you are looking to master precise crosswind landings, explore advanced upset recovery, or carve through the sky upside down, this legendary trainer delivers exceptional performance, reliability, and pure flying joy in one beautifully balanced package. The wood spar of the Decathlon offers distinct advantages over an aluminum spar, particularly since it does not fatigue after repeated G-load cycles like metal spars do.

Why choose a Decathlon over a Super Decathlon? It comes down to ownership efficiency and agility. The standard Decathlon is lighter, more agile in the air, and carries lower insurance and maintenance costs. Best of all, its Lycoming engine boasts a much longer 2,000-hour TBO, compared to the Super Decathlon’s 1,400-hour limit—giving you more hours of pure flying joy for less investment..

This low time Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon has been a faithful and well running aircraft for its current owner, but after the acquisition of another aircraft, the pilot is now looking for a good home for this Arizona-based, always hangared Decathlon.

Please carefully review the detailed, high resolution image gallery and walkaround video below. You'll see every inch of the aircraft. If you reach out to me, I can digitally share all logbooks and important documents.

General Specifications
Bellanca 8KCAB

Power - Lycoming AEIO-320-E1B:	150 HP	Recommended TBO:	2000 HRS
Service Ceiling:	16,000 FT	Airframe Length:	22 FT 11 IN
Wingspan:	32 FT 0 IN	Height:	7 FT 9 IN
Takeoff Distance (ground roll):	600 FT	Landing Distance:	450 FT
75% Cruise Speed:	135 MPH	Max Range:	540 NM
Fuel Burn:	8 GPH	Fuel Capacity:	40 GAL
Rate of Climb:	1025 FPM	Vs1 (Stall):	53 MPH

These specifications were gathered from a variety of sources and are not guaranteed.

Numbers and Dates

Born On:	11 Oct 1976
Factory Serial Number:	279-76
Flight Rules:	VFR
Total Time on Airframe (TTAF):	2550 hrs
Engine Time Since 1991 Overhaul (SMOH):	1055 hrs
Engine Time Since 2022 Complete Teardown/Insp:	275 hrs
TBO of Lycoming AEIO-320-E1B:	2000 hrs
Prop Time Since Overhaul (SPOH):	275 hrs
Time Since 500 hr Magneto Overhaul (both):	275 hrs
Gross Weight (Normal Category):	1950 lbs
Empty Weight:	1350 lbs
Useful Load (Normal Category):	600 lbs
Next Annual Insp Due:	June 2027
Transponder Cert (91.413) Due:	PENDING

Hours are an approximation and will change as aircraft is flown.

Aircraft Summary

Aircraft is hangared at Prescott Regional (KPRC), 76 NM NNW of Sky Harbor Int'l Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona
Great looking Decathlon, always hangared
No damage history
Low time airframe
Mid time engine w/ 1055 hrs SMOH in good condition, flown regularly
Very good engine compressions: 78/77/78/78
1994 new fabric and paint - Superflite System II in Bahama Blue, Juneau White, Insignia Red
1994 new windshield
2022 prop strike, NO airframe or fabric damage, and the engine was completely torn down, inspected, and refreshed in accordance with safe aviation practices (IRAN) - EXCELLENT
2022 prop overhaul (Hartzell 2-blade aluminum)
Clean logbooks; deep review found no noteworthy issues
Earliest airframe logbook (1976-1990) is missing, but we have complete 337 records from FAA since new, no issues discovered during that time period
All ADs complied with and documented at last annual inspection
All logbooks are professionally scanned, well organized, and available upon request

Avionics and Equipment

Bendix/King KY97A comm radio w/ standby
Narco AT150 Transponder
uAvionix SkyBeacon ADS-B Out
Sigtronics SPA-400 2-place intercom
EI digital EGT/CHT instrument
Hartzell 2-blade aluminum prop
Aero Classic 8.50x6 4-ply tundra tires
AeroLEDs LED position/anti-collision lights
Aileron spades (STC)
Wheel fairings included (not installed)

Facts and figures are provided to the best of broker's knowledge. Buyer is encouraged to confirm this information.

Walkaround Video

Aircraft Evaluation

As the broker, I make a significant effort to represent an aircraft in as much detail as possible. I share with you not only the benefits and features I've discovered, but also the issues or concerns that I found during my extensive intake and deep logbook review process. I present dozens of detailed, high resolution images, and an extensive walkaround video. Please review this material in detail. Logbooks and other important documents are professionally scanned, well organized, and are available upon request for your review.

Exterior - Overall, Decathlon N4142Y has nice ramp presence with its nice looking exterior. During the broker intake process, I noticed no damage or significant issues. Leading and trailing edges of the wings and tail look nearly perfect, with no sign of hangar rash. The aft portion of the left wing tip has a very minor scrape which, frankly, may disappear with a round of polishing compound. The fabric looks to be in good condition, and the 1994 paint looks great for its age (no doubt this is because the aircraft is always hangared).

Plexiglas windows are clear and while they show some age, I didn't see evidence of any haze. The tundra tires look healthy and like they are in good condition. I saw no evidence of fluid leaks from the engine or the brakes.

Please explore the extensive, high-resolution close-up image gallery below to verify the good overall exterior condition of this Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon.

Instrument Panel - The instrument panel is typical standard issue for the Citabria/Decathlon line of aircraft of this vintage. All instruments are in good working order. The g-meter was overhauled literally the week prior to my visit for the listing.

Please refer to the "Avionics and Equipment" list above for complete details of all avionics, and to the Image Gallery below for close-up images.

Interior - The interior is also standard-issue for the Decathlon line, though the seats were recently reupholstered and look great. The new seat foam makes for a very comfortable ride. The carpet shows some minor wear, but having been replaced several years back, is still in good condition. Overall, the interior of this aircraft looks good.

Please review the high resolution images in the Image Gallery (below) for a detailed look at the interior condition.

Logbooks available digitally upon request.