# NTSB LAX88LA302: Bellanca 7ECA, N5058K, Dunsmuir, CA, August 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1988, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Dunsmuir, CA
- Coordinates: 41.190086, -122.260612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1901&lon=-122.2606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA302

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE GAINED JUST ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT TURNED UP A VALLEY TO GAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS GAINING ALTITUDE AT 150 FPM, HOWEVER, THE VALLEY TURNED INTO A BOX CANYON AND THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT AT A SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED AS 7800 FT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5058K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5058K), registered now, S/N 1320-79, built 1979 (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: 1320-79
- Airframe hours: 3748
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Freisen, Gustov H., doing business as Aerosport
- Registered owner: Freisen, Gustav H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1988, 78 hours before
- Destination: 0Q3, SONOMA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 106, Dunsmuir, runway 14, 2,700 × 60 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 81 total, 48 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880829035779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880829035779A), Aug 29, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Dunsmuir, CA, Substantial damage. Just cleared trees on climbout. Then turned up blind canyon unable to outclimb terrain and crashed. Temperature 100.

## Other investigations on N5058K (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 LAX88LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA104), Jan 31, 1988: Bellanca 7ECA (N5058K), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage

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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