# NTSB LAX87LA001: Bellanca 7ECA, N4178Y, Palo Alto, CA, October 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1986, 07:09 local (14:09 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449707, -122.099182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4497&lon=-122.0992&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): 25441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE RWY. THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT ON HIS FIRST APCH HIS ALTITUDE WAS TOO HIGH AND HE WAS ALIGNED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT. DURING THE FLARE ON HIS SECOND APCH THE ACFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT. HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND TAIL WHEEL. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SKID RIGHT TO THE EDGE OF THE 65 FT WIDE RWY. THE PLT STATED, 'JUST AS LEAVING THE RUNWAY ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND BY ADDING FULL POWER. CRASHED.' THE STUDENT PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4178Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4178Y-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 1187-77 (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: 1187-77
- Airframe hours: 2803
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: West Valley Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 34 total, 15 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19861002046929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861002046929A), Oct 2, 1986: Bbavia 7ECA, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped during landing. The student did not properly align aircraft with runway.

## Other investigations on N4178Y (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 NYC97LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA157), Aug 3, 1997: Champion 7ECA (N4178Y), Easton, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: an inadequate weld repair, which resulted in insufficient structural strength of the left main gear.

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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