# NTSB LAX02LA009: Bellanca 7ECA, N2987Z, Chandler, AZ, October 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2001, 09:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.269165, -111.811111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53647 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53647/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA009 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The Bellanca pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing due to his improper brake usage. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Bellanca pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing due to his improper brake usage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - aircraft parked/standing - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - object - aircraft parked/standing - directional control - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Bellanca and a Mooney were initially standing side-by-side at runway 04L's runup area. The Bellanca pilot, having completed his pretakeoff check, proceeded toward the runway's hold short lines. As the Bellanca began taxiing, the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the conventional gear airplane, and it veered left heading toward the standing Mooney. The Bellanca pilot was unable to regain directional control and he failed to aggressively apply brakes, which resulted in his impacting the Mooney's left wing. The subsequent examination of the Bellanca's directional control and braking system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Bellanca and a Mooney were initially standing side-by-side at runway 04L's run-up area. The Bellanca pilot, having completed its pretakeoff check proceeded toward the runway's hold short lines. As the Bellanca began taxiing, the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the conventional gear airplane, and it veered left heading toward the standing Mooney. The Bellanca pilot was unable to regain directional control and he failed to aggressively apply brakes, which resulted in his impacting the Mooney's left wing. The subsequent examination of the Bellanca's directional control and braking system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 21, 2001, about 0908 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N2987Z, experienced an on-ground collision with a Mooney M20A, N6049X, at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. At the time of the collision, the Bellanca was starting to taxi for takeoff, and the Mooney was standing nearby in the run-up area. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Bellanca had been rented from PBJ Aircraft, Inc., at the Chandler Municipal Airport. The Mooney was owned by its pilot. The Bellanca sustained minor propeller damage, and the Mooney's wing was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot in the Bellanca nor the commercial pilot in the Mooney was injured. The personal flights were operating under 14 CFR Part 91, and they were originating at the time. The Bellanca pilot reported that he had completed his engine run-up and had commenced taxiing toward runway 04L's hold short lines, located about 30 feet ahead and to his right. The Bellanca began taxiing from his heretofore stationary location, and he veered left. The pilot indicated that he attempted to correct the airplane's taxi path away from the Mooney that had been located on his left side next to him in the run-up area. The Bellanca pilot indicated that he was able to momentarily stop the left turn. However, the airplane turned left again. Despite his application of right rudder and right brake, the airplane veered left until coming into contact with the Mooney that was still standing nearby in the run-up area. The Mooney pilot reported that he was also located in the run-up area and was performing the pretakeoff check at the time of the collision. His airplane's brakes were set. He had noticed the Bellanca, which had initially been located in the run-up area to his right side, taxiing perpendicular to and in front of his position. The Bellanca turned left and then approached his airplane in a nearly head-on course until it stopped upon striking his left wing. The Federal Aviation Administration Coordinator reported that the Bellanca was subsequently examined. No evidence of any mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane's directional control and braking system. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 21, 2001, about 0908 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N2987Z, experienced an on-ground collision with a Mooney M20A, N6049X, at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. At the time of the collision, the Bellanca was starting to taxi for takeoff, and the Mooney was standing nearby in the run-up area. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Bellanca had been rented from PBJ Aircraft, Inc., at the Chandler Municipal Airport. The Mooney was owned by its pilot. The Bellanca sustained minor propeller damage, and the Mooney's wing was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot in the Bellanca nor the commercial pilot in the Mooney was injured. The personal flights were operating under 14 CFR Part 91, and they were originating at the time. The Bellanca pilot reported that he had completed his engine run-up and had commenced taxiing toward runway 04L's hold short lines, located about 30 feet ahead and to his right. The Bellanca began taxiing from his heretofore stationary location, and he veered left. The pilot indicated that he attempted to correct the airplane's taxi path away from the Mooney that had been located on his left side next to him in the run-up area. The Bellanca pilot indicated that he was able to momentarily stop the left turn. However, the airplane turned left again. Despite his application of right rudder and right brake, the airplane veered left until coming into contact with the Mooney that was still standing nearby in the run-up area. The Mooney pilot reported that he was also located in the run-up area and was performing the pretakeoff check at the time of the collision. His airplane's brakes were set. He had noticed the Bellanca, which had initially been located in the run-up area to his right side, taxiing perpendicular to and in front of his position. The Bellanca turned left and then approached his airplane in a nearly head-on course until it stopped upon striking his left wing. The Federal Aviation Administration Coordinator reported that the Bellanca was subsequently examined. No evidence of any mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane's directional control and braking system. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N2987Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2987Z-2021-11-15), registration cancelled 2021-11-15, S/N 1246-78, built 1978 (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: 1246-78 - Airframe hours: 3896 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: PBJ Aircraft, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 2001 - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6049X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6049X-2008-05-21), registration cancelled 2008-05-21, S/N 1640, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20A - Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1640 - Airframe hours: 3997 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Curtis R. Halllam - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2001, 81 hours before - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N2987Z; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 309 total, 7 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N6049X; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 585 total, 425 in this make and model, 482 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: IWA, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20011021028841A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011021028841A), Oct 21, 2001: Bbavia 7ECA, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Bellanca N2987Z was in the runup area to runway 4L. Mooney N6049X arrived and stopped in the runup area. Bellanca N2987Z attempted to maneuver around the… - [Accident 20011021028842A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011021028842A), Oct 21, 2001: Mooney M20A, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Bellanca N2987Z was in the runup area to runway 4L Mooney N6049X arrived and stopped in the runup area. Bellanca N2987Z attempted to maneuver around the… ## Other investigations on N2987Z (1) 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 CEN20CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA104), Feb 27, 2020: Champion 7ECA (N2987Z), Athens, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The rear seat pilot and the student pilot's failure to see and avoid trees during initial climb following an aborted landing. 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.