# NTSB LAX89LA206: Bellanca 7GCAA, N31277, Big Sur, CA, May 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1989, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Sur, CA
- Coordinates: 36.08007, -121.600624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0801&lon=-121.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA206

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE A FORCED LANDING TO AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE ATTEMPT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH GRASS THAT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE TAILWHEEL AND THE SOFT DOWNHILL TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel - entangled (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL ON A FRESHLY MOWED OPEN FIELD, THE TAILWHEEL BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE GRASS. THE TERRAIN WAS DOWNSLOPING, AND WITH THE SLOW AIRSPEED, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING THERE ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND HAD THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY MOW THE GRASS IN ORDER TO FORM AN AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31277](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31277-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 251-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 251-72
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Solliday, Robert E. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1988, 120 hours before
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 395 total, 250 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890528012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890528012909A), May 28, 1989: Bbavia 7GCAA, Big Sur, CA, Substantial damage. Had made forced landing in field. Engine ok. Tried to take off with field mowed. Wheels caught in grass. Nosed over

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.