# NTSB LAX82DA035: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8630V, San Clementine, CA, January 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1982, 16:00 local (Jan 4, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: San Clementine, CA
- Coordinates: 33.420661, -117.620185 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4207&lon=-117.6202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA035

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED AN AREA OF SLOPING TERRAIN THAT APPEALED TO HIM AS A PROSPECTIVE PIECE OF LAND TO PURCHASE. HE STATED THAT HE GOT TOO LOW AND SLOW WITH THE SUN IN HIS EYES AS HE CIRCLED THE AREA. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE PLANE FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8630V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8630V-1997-10-20), registration cancelled 1997-10-20, S/N 81275 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 812-75
- Airframe hours: 942
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Verlan T Smiddy
- Registered owner: Verlan T Smiddy
- Departed: HUNTINGTON BCH, CA
- Destination: HUNTINGTON BCH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 316 total, 13 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19820103026769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820103026769A), Jan 3, 1982: Bbavia 7GCBC, San Clemente, CA, Substantial damage. Became too low while looking over a property. Dragged wing tip on ground. Flipped over.

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.