# NTSB LAX08CA297: Bellanca 7GCBC, N11698, American Fork, UT, September 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2008, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: American Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.418334, -111.715553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4183&lon=-111.7156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administratrion FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68922/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA297 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to enter a box canyon, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he was flying the airplane about 8,500 feet msl on an eastbound heading. He entered a canyon, and not believing he had sufficient clearance to cross over the ridge, began a 360-degree turn to gain altitude. During the turn the pilot reported feeling the airplane sink; he then attempted to guide the airplane westbound down the canyon and away from terrain. The airplane continued to descend and impacted terrain at the 8,300-foot level. The pilot said that he did not perceive any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Bellanca 7GCBC reported flying the airplane about 8,500 feet msl on an eastbound heading. He entered a canyon, and not believing he had sufficient clearance to cross over the ridge, began a 360-degree turn to gain altitude. During the turn the pilot reported feeling the airplane sink; he then attempted to guide the airplane westbound down the canyon and away from terrain. The airplane continued to descend and impacted terrain at the 8,300-foot level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11698](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11698-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 358-72, built 1972 (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: 358-72 - Airframe hours: 2826.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2008, 66 hours before - Departed: U42, Salt Lake City, UT - Destination: 36U, Heber City, UT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: U42, Salt Lake City Municipal 2 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 1,293 total, 62 in this make and model, 1,293 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 28 nm away ## Other investigations on N11698 (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 CEN15FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA264), Jun 8, 2015: Bellanca 7GCBC (N11698), Kadoka, SD, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic… 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.