# NTSB LAX01LA301: Bellanca 7GCAA, N5042D, Bridgeport, CA, September 2, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2001, 09:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.269069, -119.32933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2691&lon=-119.3293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA301

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the tail wheel equipped aircraft during landing roll which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on runway 16 (4,329 feet long x 60 feet wide).  The tail of the aircraft bounced violently and the airplane veered to the left.  He applied right rudder and some power; however, the airplane drifted off the east edge of the runway and ground looped when the right main landing gear entered dense brush.  The right landing gear was torn off and the right-hand wing contacted the ground during the ensuing ground loop.  In his report to the Safety Board, in the section "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," the pilot checked "no."  He also reported the wind was calm.

## Factual narrative

On September 2, 2001, at 0913 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N5042D, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at Bryant Field, Bridgeport, California.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The personal flight was operated by Sierra Flyers, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from Minden, Nevada, at 0820.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on runway 16 (4,329 feet long x 60 feet wide).  The tail of the aircraft bounced violently and the airplane veered to the left.  He applied right rudder and some power; however, the airplane drifted off the east edge of the runway and ground looped when the right main landing gear entered dense brush.  The right landing gear was torn off and the right-hand wing contacted the ground during the ensuing ground loop.  In his report to the Safety Board, in the section "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," the pilot checked "no."  He also reported the wind was calm.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5042D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5042D), registered now, S/N 378-79 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 378-79
- Airframe hours: 2089
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sierra Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2001, 64 hours before
- Departed: MEV, Minden, NV
- Destination: O57, Bridgeport, CA
- Airport: O57, Bryant Field, runway 16, 4,329 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 30, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 107 total, 17 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 325 nm away

## 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 20010902023279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010902023279A), Sep 2, 2001: Bbavia 7GCAA, Bridgeport, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing at Bryant field, Bridgeport, CA, the pilot lost control of the aircraft after the tail came up and started to porpoise. The aircraft…

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.