# NTSB LAX86LVM02: Bellanca 7ECA, N53893, San Jose, CA, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1986, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.329429, -121.770759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3294&lon=-121.7708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LVM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LVM02

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT AFTER LANDING. THE STUDENT PLT SAID HE ATTEMPTED WITH RUDDER AND AILERON TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BUT FAILED. AFTER ROLLING INTO THE GRASS THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE HELD THE STICK BACK TO ASSURE TAIL WHEEL STEERING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53893](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53893), registered now, S/N 1140-76, built 1975 (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: 1140-76
- Airframe hours: 6337
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Reid Melia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1986, 40 hours before
- Airport: RHV, Ried Hellview, runway 31R, 3,101 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV, 1 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 19860223007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860223007919A), Feb 23, 1986: Bbavia 7ECA, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on rollout. Nosed over in soft mud after departing side of runway.

## Other investigations on N53893 (5)

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 WPR14CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA070), Dec 15, 2013: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to correct for the student pilot's loss of aircraft control in a timely manner during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's inability to see the…
- [NTSB LAX05CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA282), Aug 30, 2005: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with an runway sign.
- [NTSB LAX01LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA100), Feb 15, 2001: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
- [NTSB LAX95LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA122), Feb 26, 1995: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the conventional gear aircraft during an aborted landing attempt. Factors in the accident were the student's high and fast approach and…
- [NTSB LAX90LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA018), Oct 29, 1989: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

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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