# NTSB LAX83LA437: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8741V, Santa Barbara, CA, September 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1983, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Location: 34.4036° N, 119.7137° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Barbara, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4036&lon=-119.7137&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA437
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA437

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - carburetor heat control - inoperative (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CIRCLING AN AREA NEAR SANTA CRUISE ISLAND, CA. DURING AERIAL FISH SPOTTING OPERATIONS, THE ACFT ENG BEGAN TO LOSE PWR. AS THE ACFT APCHD THE ISLAND THE ENG SUSTAINED A COMPLETE PWR LOSS AND NOSED OVER DRNG THE ENSUING FORCED LNDG. AN ENG EXAM REVEALED THAT THE CARB HEAT CTL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. ACCORDING TO CARB ICING PROB CUVES MODERATE ICING AT CRUISE PWR OR SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE PWR EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8741V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8741V), registered now, S/N 849-75, built 1975 (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: 849-75
- Airframe hours: 2919
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: King Observations, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1983, 178 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, 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.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,973 total, 871 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 36 nm away

## 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 19830912048639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830912048639A), Sep 12, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing. Carburetor heat control would not function.

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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