# NTSB LAX08CA150: Bellanca 7GCBC, N90930, Rockport, CA, May 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2008, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Rockport, CA - Coordinates: 39.731388, -123.82389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7314&lon=-123.8239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68057/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's performance of VFR flight into IMC, resulting in failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the fog. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot took off from a dirt airstrip with 1/2-mile visibility to the west due to ocean fog. The pilot flew into the fog, he then turned south. However, he continued into more fog, so he turned east. When he came out of the fog, he did not have enough altitude to clear trees on top of mountainous terrain ahead. He clipped some trees with the landing gear and impacted on a hilltop, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot took off from a dirt airstrip with 1/2-mile visibility to the west due to ocean fog. The pilot flew into the fog, he then turned south. However, he continued into more fog, so he turned east. When he came out of the fog, he did not have enough altitude to clear trees on top of mountainous terrain ahead. He clipped some trees with the landing gear and impacted on a hilltop, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90930](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90930-2009-05-19), registration cancelled 2009-05-19, S/N 431-73, built 1973 (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: 431-73 - Airframe hours: 1045 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007, 83 hours before - Departed: Rockport, CA - Destination: CIC, CHICO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 165 total, 150 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F ## 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 20080519834439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080519834439A), May 19, 2008: Bbavia 7GCBC, Rockport, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05/19/2008, [privacy data omitted] was the pilot of aircraft N90930, Bellanca 7GCBC. [privacy data omitted] Stated that the accident occurred sometime… 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.