# NTSB LAX03LA035: Bellanca 7ECA, N88408, Livermore, CA, November 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2002, 08:38 local (16:38 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.692222, -121.683891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6922&lon=-121.6839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56098/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor in the accident was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis During a touch-and-go landing on runway 25R, the airplane bounced and started to veer left into the wind, so the pilot decided to execute a go-around. However, the airplane's left wing hit the ground. After the airplane departed the runway and crossed two taxiways, the pilot closed the throttle and landed the airplane in the ramp area. As he landed, he applied left brake to avoid hitting a corporate jet in his path, and the right wing tip impacted the ground. The reported winds were from 200 degrees at 13 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2002, at 0838 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N88408, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during landing at Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. Attitude Aviation was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight departed LVK about 0830 for the local area flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He departed runway 25R and felt the crosswind was "not too bad." The pilot stated the wind picked up while he was in the pattern. On the first landing, the pilot intended for the tailwheel to touchdown first; however, the main gear touched down first. The airplane bounced and started to veer left into the wind. He decided to do a full power go-around; however, the wind was stronger than he thought, and the airplane's left wing struck the ground. After the airplane departed the runway and crossed two taxiways, the pilot closed the throttle and landed the airplane in the ramp area. As he landed, he applied left brake to avoid hitting a corporate jet in his path. This resulted in the right wing impacting the ground. The aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for LVK at 0838 reported winds from 200 degrees at 13 knots. The final clearance issued from the air traffic control tower (ATCT) local controller was, "Cleared for the option runway 25R, wind 210 at 15." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88408](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88408), registered now, S/N 1062-75, built 1974 (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: 1062-75 - Airframe hours: 6394 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Attitude Aviation - Registered owner: Freedom Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2002, 68 hours before - Departed: LVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal, runway 25R, 5,235 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 3, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 106 total, 103 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: LVK ## 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 20021110031629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021110031629A), Nov 10, 2002: Bbavia 7ECA, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that he had lost control of his aircraft during a touch and go maneuver at the Livermore Municipal Airport. The pilot commented that… ## Other investigations on N88408 (2) 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 LAX99LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA279), Aug 21, 1999: Bellanca 7ECA (N88408), Livermore, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the no. 3 cylinder exhaust valve due to the operator's failure to adhere to recommended overhaul periods set by the engine manufacturer. A factor in the accident was the operator's… - [NTSB LAX76DVM37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DVM37), May 4, 1976: Bellanca 7ECA (N88408), Paso Robles, 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.