# NTSB LAX87FA341: Bellanca 7ECA, N8598V, Sonoma, CA, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1987, 14:06 local (21:06 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.239978, -122.459007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2400&lon=-122.4590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA341
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA341

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE 70-HOUR STUDENT PLT HAD RECENTLY PASSED THE PVT PLT WRITTEN EXAM & HAD COMPLETED MOST OF THE FLT TRNG FOR CERTIFICATION. HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BECOMING A LICENSED PLT. WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT FLEW OVER HIS BROTHER'S RESIDENCE & WAS OBSERVED TO ROCK THE ACFT'S WINGS BACK & FORTH. THE PLT THEN FLEW OVER HIS OWN HOUSE. WHILE CIRCLING AT BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT. AGL, THE PLT'S MOTHER SAW THE ACFT & WAVED. SHE REPORTED THAT HER SON 'WIGGLED' THE ACFT'S WINGS. THEN, AS THE MOTHER WATCHED, THE ACFT'S BANK STEEPENED. NUMEROUS WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT'S BANK ANGLE INCREASED TO 90 (OR MORE) DEGREES, & THE ACFT RAPIDLY DESCENDED UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD WHILE IN A 60 DEG. PITCH DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ITS ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8598V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8598V-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 1077-75, built 1974 (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: 1077-75
- Airframe hours: 1761
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Schellville
- Registered owner: Christopher D. Prevost
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1987, 61 hours before
- Departed: 0Q3, SONOMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 70 total, 69 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870920053489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920053489A), Sep 20, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student pilot entered an accelerated stall and crashed while circling relatives residence at low altitude.

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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