# NTSB LAX89LA122: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N777ML, Fullerton, CA, March 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1989, 18:00 local (Mar 6, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8720° N, 117.9798° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8720&lon=-117.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA122

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND TESTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777ML-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N 76-31131, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 76-31131
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Discount Motors Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °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 19890305003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890305003149A), Mar 5, 1989: Blanca 1731ATC, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Reported brakes ineffective on landing roll. Turned off and hit a fence. Brakes found to be new with no defects.

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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