# NTSB LAX02LA175: Bellanca 17-30A, N28145, Willits, CA, May 26, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 2002, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Willits, CA - Coordinates: 39.451389, -123.372222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4514&lon=-123.3722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54781/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54781 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA175 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to raise the flaps and the wind shear conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - airport facility - object - sign - object - hangar/airport building - object - vehicle ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control and failed to maintain runway alignment while attempting to land, and collided with multiple obstacles on the airport. During the landing flare, about 3 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a strong wind shear from the west. The airplane turned about 45 degrees to the left. The pilot initiated a go-around by adding full throttle, and applied full right rudder pressure in an effort to regain runway alignment. The main landing gear and flaps remained in the down position, and the airplane did not establish a positive rate of climb. The airplane struck the top of a fuel island and collided with a sign. The airplane made contact with the ground about 50 feet north of the fuel island and slid into a hangar, colliding with an unoccupied car that was parked inside. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2002, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N28145, collided with multiple objects after a failure to maintain runway alignment while attempting to land at Ells Field-Willits Municipal Airport (O28), Willits, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from University Airport (0O5), Davis, California, about 1545, with the planned destination of O28. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 34. While on final approach, he configured the airplane normally, and noted a light turbulence. During the landing flare, about 3 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a strong wind shear from the west. The airplane turned about 45 degrees to the left. The pilot initiated a go-around by adding full throttle, and applied full right rudder pressure in an effort to regain runway alignment. The main landing gear and flaps remained in the down position, and the airplane did not establish a positive rate of climb. The airplane struck the top of a fuel island and collided with a sign. The damage incurred by the collision prevented the airplane from continuing flight, and the airplane made contact with the ground about 50 feet north of the fuel island. After impacting the ground, the airplane slid into a hangar and collided with an unoccupied car that was parked inside. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for Ukiah, California, 21 miles away on a bearing of 158 degrees, reported winds from 330 at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28145](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28145-2002-07-30), registration cancelled 2002-07-30, S/N 80-30986, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 80-30986 - Airframe hours: 2178.8 - Engines: Continental IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David H. Lovitt - Registered owner: Little Lake Pharamacy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 2002, 26 hours before - Departed: O05, Davis, CA - Destination: O28, Willits, CA - Airport: O28, Ells Field-Willits Municipal, runway 34, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total, 265 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: UKI, 21 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 20020526038669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020526038669A), May 26, 2002: Blanca 1730A, Willits, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 26, 2002, about 1630 pacific daylight time, the pilot of Bellanca 17-30A, N28145, during an attempted go-around lost control of his aircraft. The… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54781. 315 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.