# NTSB LAX85FA015: Bellanca 73CA, N53860, Porterville, CA, October 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1984, 11:58 local (18:58 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.960769, -118.919624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9608&lon=-118.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - fence
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER AN INFLT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING BOTH THE LANDING FLARE & SUBSEQUENT GO AROUND ATTEMPT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS APPROACHING TOUCHDOWN IN A THREE POINT ATTITUDE WHEN 'A GUST OF WIND SUDDENLY PUSHED (THE ACFT) TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY.' THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT 'IT CRABBED ON ME AND THEN STARTED OUT ACROSS THE FIELD.' ADDING POWER TO INITIATE A GO AROUND, THE PLT SAID THAT 'EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING FINE UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED RADICALLY.' THE PLT WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT & COLLIDED WITH A CHAIN LINK FENCE & AN ACFT FACTORY BUILDING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53860](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53860-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 1131-76, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 73CA
- 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: 1131076
- Airframe hours: 37339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patroline, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1984, 89 hours before
- Departed: 308, COALINGA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 139 total, 30 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 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 19841013076119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841013076119A), Oct 13, 1984: Bbavia 7ECA, Porterville, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft touched down on side of runway. Go around initiated without directional control. Struck fence and building

## Other investigations on N53860 (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 LAX78DVM47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DVM47), Sep 20, 1978: Bellanca 7ECA (N53860), Paso Robles, 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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