# NTSB LAX88LA053: Bellanca 8GCBC, N53917, San Diego, CA, November 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1987, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.549919, -117.04055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5499&lon=-117.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison - performed
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS COMPLETING A BANNER TOWING OPN, HE APPLIED PWR TO CLIMB FROM 500' TO 1500' TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. AS HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, THEN LOST PWR. HE SAID THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE & HE RELEASED THE BANNER. HE STEERED THE ACFT AWAY FROM SURFERS & DITCHED IT IN ROUGH WATER. THE ACFT & ENG WERE BADLY DAMAGED BY THE HVY SURF & SALT WATER. THE ENG WAS EVENTUALLY RECOVERED, EXAMINED & TORN DOWN. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND, EXCEPT THE ENG DRIVEN OIL PUMP HOUSING & IMPELLERS SHOWED SIGNS OF FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE. A WITNESS HAD TAKEN A PHOTO OF THE THE ACFT BEFORE IT WAS DITCHED. THE PHOTO SHOWED A HVY TRAIL OF SMOKE (BELIEVED TO BE FROM OIL) COMING FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53917](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53917-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 194-76, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 194-76
- Airframe hours: 2095
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Ads
- Registered owner: Lubshilt & Tugs Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1987, 98 hours before
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,518 total, 952 in this make and model, 1,376 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAN

## 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 19871122066499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871122066499A), Nov 22, 1987: Bbavia 8GCBC, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. Loss of engine power. Towing a banner. Smoke in cockpit. Ditched in the ocean. Foreign object found in oil pump.

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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