# NTSB LAX78DA068: Bellanca 8KCAB, N68557, Elcentro, CA, August 18, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 18, 1978
- Place: Elcentro, CA · ELCENTRO, 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78DA068
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DA068

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2231  78/8/18    ELCENTRO,CA         BELLANCA 8KCAB      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 56, 97 TOTAL
        TIME - 1600                    N68557              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 13 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DOUTHITT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELCENTRO,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           WEATHER - LOCAL WHIRLWIND
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SOFT SHOULDERS
        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                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     CALM
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           101                                                     CALM
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68557](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68557-2022-12-13), registration cancelled 2022-12-13, S/N 41-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Douthitt

## 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 19780818027419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780818027419A), Aug 18, 1978: Blanca 8KCA/, Elcentro, CA, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N68557 (2)

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 CEN19LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA153), May 25, 2019: Champion 8KCAB (N68557), Fredericksburg, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB LAX87LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA075), Jan 4, 1987: Bellanca 8KCAB (N68557), Tucson, AZ, 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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