# NTSB LAX86LA227: Bellanca 7ACA, N9158L, Lompoc, CA, May 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1986, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Lompoc, CA
- Coordinates: 34.600086, -120.389144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6001&lon=-120.3891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi

## Analysis

THE BELLANCE CHAMPION WENT OUT OF CONTROL AN COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED ACFT AFTER A HAND PROPPED START. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS TIED DOWN WITH TWO CHAINS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE WINGS AT ONE END AND TO A CABLE THAT STRETCHED ACROSS THE RAMP AT THE OTHER END. THE PLT ELECTED TO HAND START THE ENG WITHOUT SOMEONE ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ENG STARTED IT DEVELOPED MORE THAN IDLE RPM. THE ACFT BROKE ONE OF THE TIE DOWN CHAINS AND STARTED A PIVOT TURN AROUND THE OTHER CHAIN AND STRUCK TWO PARKED ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. AC 61-21A STATES, 'IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ENGINE NEVER BE 'HAND PROPPED' UNLESS A QUALIFIED PERSON THOROUGHLY FAMILAR WITH THE OPERATION OF ALL THE CONTROLS IS SEATED AT THE CONTROLS AND THE BRAKES SET. AS A ADDITIONAL PRECAUSTION, CHOCKS SHOULD BE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE MAIN WHEELS. IF THIS IS NOT FEASIBLE, THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL SHOULD BE SECURELY TIED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9158L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9158L-2026-06-04), registration cancelled 2026-06-04, S/N 19-71, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ACA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 2A4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-2a4-series) (registry code 27001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19-71
- Airframe hours: 1134
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8-I 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Susan K. Schwab
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1985, 150 hours before
- Departed: LPC, LOMPOC, CA
- Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Airport: LPC, Lompoc Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,819 total, 104 in this make and model, 1,622 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: VBG, 8 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 19860521019139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860521019139A), May 21, 1986: Bbavia 7ACA, Lompoc, CA, Substantial damage. After hand propping the engine,aircraft moved breaking loose from tiedowns. Unoccupied aircraft struck parked plane.

## Other investigations on N9158L (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 WPR26LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA193), May 14, 2026: Bellanca 7ACA (N9158L), Pacific City, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during a precautionary landing following a partial reduction in engine rpm.

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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