# NTSB FTW84LA330: Bellanca 7ECA, N8685V, San Marcos, TX, July 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1984, 19:00 local (Jul 29, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: San Marcos, TX
- Coordinates: 29.880598, -97.919898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8806&lon=-97.9199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA330

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED & CAME TO REST ON THE SHORELINE OF A LARGE POND. INITIAL IMPACT WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE WATER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ENG WAS PROVIDING POWER DURING IMPACT. THE PLT WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL WHERE A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN. A CHECK OF HIS BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.153%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8685V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1095-75
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gt+3
- Registered owner: Richard A Hensen, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1984, 65 hours before
- Destination: VICTORIA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 101 total, 20 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F

## 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 19840728040599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840728040599A), Jul 28, 1984: Bbavia 7ECA, San Marcos, TX, Destroyed. Impacted pond after reported low altitude flying. Blood test shouwed pilot flying while intoxicated.

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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