# NTSB LAX01LA100: Bellanca 7ECA, N53893, San Jose, CA, February 15, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2001, 11:17 local (19:17 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.332778, -121.819725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3328&lon=-121.8197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport facility ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway during landing and collided with obstacles. The pilot planned to practice takeoffs and landings in the airport's traffic pattern. No problems with the airplane were noted during the taxi out, takeoff, or final approach. On final approach, the pilot observed the presence of a left crosswind, and he entered a slip to compensate for the airplane's drift. However, the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the landing roll in the conventional gear airplane. It veered off runway 31R and impacted the airport's anemometer. At 1117, the wind at the airport was from 230 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2001, about 1117 hours Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N53893, veered off the runway and collided with an obstacle during landing rollout at the Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport, San Jose, California. The airplane was operated by Amelia Reid Aviation, San Jose, and it was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight that originated from the airport about 1100. The pilot indicated that he intended to practice takeoffs and landings in the airport's traffic pattern. No problems with the airplane were noted during the taxi out, takeoff, or final approach. He did observe a left crosswind and entered a slip to compensate for the airplane's drift. However, during the landing rollout the conventional gear airplane veered off runway 31R. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to redirect the airplane back onto the runway. As it decelerated off the runway, it impacted the airport's wind-measuring instrument (anemometer). The pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical malfunction with the airplane's brakes or flight control system. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, at 1117, the wind at the airport was from 230 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53893](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53893), registered now, S/N 1140-76, built 1975 (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 - Serial number: 1140-76 - Airframe hours: 12403 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Amelia Reid - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2000, 28 hours before - Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA - Destination: RHV, San Jose, CA - Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview of Santa ClaraCo, runway 31R, 3,101 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 248 total, 36 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: RHV ## 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 20010215001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010215001609A), Feb 15, 2001: Bbavia 7ECA, San Jose, CA, No damage. (-23) During a left cross-wind landing roll-out on 31R at the Reid hillviewairport (rhv) the pilot and sole occupant lost control of airplane, it departed the… ## Other investigations on N53893 (5) 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. - [NTSB WPR14CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA070), Dec 15, 2013: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to correct for the student pilot's loss of aircraft control in a timely manner during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's inability to see the… - [NTSB LAX05CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA282), Aug 30, 2005: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with an runway sign. - [NTSB LAX95LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA122), Feb 26, 1995: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the conventional gear aircraft during an aborted landing attempt. Factors in the accident were the student's high and fast approach and… - [NTSB LAX90LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA018), Oct 29, 1989: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. - [NTSB LAX86LVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LVM02), Feb 23, 1986: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage 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.