# NTSB LAX88LA202: Bellanca 7ECA, N4139Y, Sonoma, CA, May 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1988, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Location: 38.2239° N, 122.4497° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SONOMA VALLEY (0Q3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2239&lon=-122.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA202

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE FLIGHT AND RECOVER FROM THE STUDENT PILOT'S BOUNCED LANDING.

## 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
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, dual student (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4139Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4139Y), registered now, S/N 1248-78, built 1978 (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: 1248-78
- Airframe hours: 2458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Provest, Christopher, doing business as Aero Schellville
- Registered owner: Prevost, Christopher D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 4, 1987
- Departed: 0Q3
- Airport: 0Q3, Sonoma Valley, runway 16, 2,200 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 818 total, 35 in this make and model, 786 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °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 19880528024119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880528024119A), May 28, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Sonoma, CA, Substantial damage. Student bounced on landing and lost control. CFI over corrected and aircraft veered other way. Overturned in ditch.

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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