# NTSB LAX07CA128: Bellanca 7GCBC, N30WH, Porterville, CA, April 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 13, 2007, 11:59 local (18:59 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.029724, -119.062774
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-119.0628&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA128

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over when the pilot attempted to execute a go-around.  The pilot entered the landing pattern and made two landing approaches, both of which he terminated with a go-around.  The pilot said that on his third approach he made a poor landing and attempted a go-around.  He applied full power and the airplane veered left and ran off the side of the runway.  The airplane nosed over when it encountered ploughed furrows adjacent to the runway.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had departed Exeter Airport, California, at 1142, and flew down to Porterville Municipal Airport to practice landings.  He entered the landing pattern at Porterville and made two landing approaches, both of which he terminated in a go-around.  On his third approach he made a poor landing and attempted a go-around.  He applied full power, the airplane veered left, and upon contact with ploughed furrows adjacent to the runway the airplane nosed over.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30WH), registered now, S/N 997-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 997-77
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gene A. Roberts
- Registered owner: Gene A. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: KO63, Exeter, CA
- Destination: KPTV, Porterville, CA
- Airport: KPTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 5,908 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 242 total, 3 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KPTV

## 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 20070413005079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070413005079A), Apr 13, 2007: Bbavia 7GCBC, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 4/13/2007, at approximately 1215 PDT, Bellanca aircraft, N30WH, operating under 14CFR91 in VFR conditions, sustained substantial damage during landing…

## Other investigations on N30WH (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 LAX08CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA044), Jan 7, 2008: Bellanca 7GCBC (N30WH), Exeter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

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.

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