# NTSB LAX77FUJ78: Bellanca 14-13, N86769, Mesa, AZ, August 7, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 7, 1977
- Place: Mesa, AZ · MESA, AZ
- Location: 33.4223° N, 111.8226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesa, AZ, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4223&lon=-111.8226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUJ78
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUJ78

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2978   77/8/7  NR.MESA,AZ            BELLANCA 14-13      CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 530
        TIME - 0835                    N86769              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 15 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FALCON FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MESA,AZ                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WRONG PART
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     170
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           4                                                       VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 3700FT.UNAPPROVED PROP.NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION FOUND ON TEAR DOWN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86769](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86769-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 1130, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13) (registry code 1201002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Falcon Field

## 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 19770807030699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770807030699A), Aug 7, 1977: Blanca 1413, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Density alt 3700FT.unapproved prop. No engine malfunction found on tear down.

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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