After being recertified for its new configuration, Fitzmaurice and Bonar undertook a long-distance record flight on 29 October 1934 intending to set a new London-Baghdad mark (4,100 km / 2546 mi). Over Belgium, however, problems with a fairing and the cowling caused an end to the attempt. The Bellanca was shipped back to the US to finish its tests, but was badly damaged in a landing accident on 15 April 1935 when a gust of wind flipped the aircraft on its back during a proving flight undertaken by Bonar and Bellanca mechanic Eddie Griscome. In 1936, the aircraft was rebuilt with a 900 hp P&W Twin Wasp and redesignated the 28-90.