# NTSB LAX05CA285: Bellanca 7ECA, N2686Z, Malibu, CA, September 1, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2005, 10:27 local (17:27 UTC) - Place: Malibu, CA - Coordinates: 33.958889, -118.821388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9589&lon=-118.8214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62377/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA285 ## Probable cause a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and the pilot ditched in the ocean. While en route over the ocean on a fish-spotting mission, the pilot noticed a decrease in engine power. The pilot's scan of the cockpit gauges revealed no anomalies, with the exception of a slight rise in oil temperature. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane toward land, the oil temperature continued to rise and he heard a loud "bang" followed by a vibration. Engine oil began to cover the windshield and the airplane continued to lose altitude. With the engine still running, the pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean about 5 miles from the coastline. The airplane sank to the ocean floor, about 1,200 feet underwater. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2005 at 1027 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N2686Z, experienced a partial loss of engine power and ditched in the ocean near Malibu, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area flight originated from Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California, about 1000, and was engaged in fish-spotting operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after departing from Camarillo, he maneuvered the airplane on a southwesterly heading toward Catalina Island. While en route over the ocean, about 25 miles from the airport, he noticed a decrease in engine power. A scan of the cockpit gauges revealed no anomalies with the exception of a slight rise in oil temperature. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane toward land, the oil temperature continued to rise, indicating about 220 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit; the oil pressure gauge indicated about 60 pounds. While still continuing toward land, the pilot heard a loud "bang" coming from the engine and felt a vibration. Engine oil began to cover the windshield and the airplane continued to lose altitude. With the engine still running, the pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean about 5 miles from the Malibu coastline. The airplane sank to the ocean floor, about 1,200 feet underwater. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2686Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2686Z-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 1229-78 (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: 1229-78 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: CMA, Camarillo, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,450 in this make and model, 288 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20050901027229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050901027229A), Sep 1, 2005: Bbavia 7ECA, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On 09/01/2005, 1030 pacific time, aircraft was being operated by the owner/pilot for the purposes of "fish spotting" off the southern California coast.… 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.