# NTSB LAX77FUM24: Bellanca 7EC, N4341C, El Centro, CA, April 5, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 5, 1977
- Place: El Centro, CA · EL CENTRO, CA
- Location: 32.7864° N, 115.5602° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Centro, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7864&lon=-115.5602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUM24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0596   77/4/5    EL CENTRO,CA        BELLANCA 7EC        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 18, 130
        TIME - 1800                    N4341C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 48 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DOUTHITT AIRSTRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL CENTRO,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNAPPROVED MODIFICATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FUEL SEL HANDLE REPOSITIONED. PILOTS KNEE COULD INADVERTENTLY TURN SEL TO OFF POSITION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4341C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4341C), registered now, S/N 7EC-357, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110158) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Douthitt Airstrip

## 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 19770405007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770405007819A), Apr 5, 1977: Blanca 7EC, El Centro, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel sel handle repositioned. Pilots knee could inadvertently turn sel to off position.

## Other investigations on N4341C (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 OAK74FVW16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVW16), Apr 6, 1974: Champion 7EC (N4341C), Lone Pine, CA, substantial damage

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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