# NTSB GAA16CA197: Bellanca 7ECA, N8654V, Ramona, CA, April 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2016, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.038612, -116.912498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0386&lon=-116.9125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93061/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93061 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA197 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in variable wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, he observed the windsock shift direction, the left wing of the airplane lifted very fast, and the airplane rolled to the right. The pilot further reported that when the left wing came back down, the airplane was orientated toward the ground. Subsequently the left wing of the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, conditions were wind variable at 3 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 27. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, he observed the windsock shift direction, the left wing of the airplane lifted very fast, and the airplane rolled to the right. The pilot further reported that when the left wing came back down, the airplane was orientated toward the ground. Subsequently the left wing of the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, conditions were wind variable at 3 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 27. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8654V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8654V-2017-11-13), registration cancelled 2017-11-13, S/N 1090-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA (NO SERIES) - 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 - Serial number: 1090-75 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Julie Keane Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Julie Keane Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA - Airport: RNM, Ramona, runway 27, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 25, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 600 total, 30 in this make and model, 465 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KRNM ## 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 20160423025209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160423025209A), Apr 23, 2016: Bellanca 7ECA, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. On April 23, 2016 around 10:15 PDT Bellanca N8654V struck the ground nose first during the takeoff phase of flight at Ramona (rnm), California. Aircraft… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93061. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 991 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.