# NTSB LAX84LA154: Bellanca 7ECA, N5026S, Healdsburg, CA, January 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1984, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Healdsburg, CA
- Coordinates: 38.629627, -122.889411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6296&lon=-122.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND PUSHED UP THE LEFT WING & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN WENT DOWN A SHALLOW GRADE & IMPACTED BUSHES. HE REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 330 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 18 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5026S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5026S), registered now, S/N 1326-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1326-79
- Airframe hours: 1958
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-K2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chuck Hunter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1983, 58 hours before
- Departed: 0Q3, SONOMA, CA
- Airport: 031, Healdsburg Muni, runway 31, 2,707 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F

## 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 19840124002869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840124002869A), Jan 24, 1984: Bbavia 7ECA, Healdsburg, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control of aircraft during landing in gusty crosswind condition.

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.