# NTSB FTW78DRG25: Bellanca 7ECA, N53974, Sandia, TX, February 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 5, 1978
- Place: Sandia, TX · SANDIA, TX
- Location: 28.0212° N, 97.8676° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sandia, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0212&lon=-97.8676&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DRG25
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRG25

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0542   78/2/5    SANDIA,TX           BELLANCA 7ECA       CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             NO CERTIFICATE, AGE 28,
        TIME - 1515                    N53974              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  40 TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ARROWHEAD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SANDIA,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNQUALIFIED PERSON OPERATED AIRCRAFT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     HEAD WIND 338-022 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          330                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTING 14K.EXPIRED STUDENT CERT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53974](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53974-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 1155-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Arrowhead

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19780205006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780205006169A), Feb 5, 1978: Blanca 7KCA/, Sandia,Tx, TX, Substantial damage. Wind gusting 14K.expired student cert.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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