# NTSB LAX88LA280: Bellanca 7ECA, N8662V, Palo Alto, CA, August 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1988, 08:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449535, -122.100334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4495&lon=-122.1003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA280

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ALL OF THE PILOT'S PRIOR FLIGHT TRAINING WAS DONE IN TAILWHEEL TYPE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT HAD MADE FOUR FULL STOP LANDINGS DURING THE PATTERN PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION AND HE SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS DURING EACH OF THE LANDINGS. NO PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TAKEOFFS OR TAXI OPERATIONS. ON THE FIFTH LANDING, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL JUST AFTER LOWERING THE TAIL TO THE GROUND AND THE 'WIND PICKED UP THE LEFT WING.' THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO INITIATE A GO AROUND AND THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. AFTER LIFTOFF THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL STRUCTURES ON THE AIRPORT BEFORE FINALLY HITTING A LARGE TREE ON AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FLYING CLUB STATED THAT THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS ON PROBATION FOR CONSISTENT PROBLEMS IN TURNING OUT WEAK STUDENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8662V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8662V), registered now, S/N 1091-75 (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: 1091-75
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Johnson, Burt L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PAO
- Destination: PAO
- Airport: PAO, Santa Clara County, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 55 total, 31 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °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 19880805031049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880805031049A), Aug 5, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Began a go around, turned off runway alignment,hit several structures and tree

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.