# NTSB LAX89LA322: Bellanca Citabria, N1679G, Auburn, CA, September 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1989, 18:30 local (Sep 25, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 39.239532, -120.06948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2395&lon=-120.0695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA322

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF NOSE DOWN TRIM WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A TREE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - elevator trim - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THIS WAS PILOT'S FIRST SOLO IN THIS AIRCRAFT AFTER LAST HOUR WITH A CFI. THE PILOT REPORTED HE PROBABLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE APPROACH. HE INDICATED HE ACCIDENTLY MOVED THE TRIM KNOB TO THE NOSE DOWN POSITION INSTEAD OF USING THE THROTTLE KNOB TO CORRECT FOR A LOW APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1679G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1679G-1992-04-21), registration cancelled 1992-04-21, S/N 134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA CITABRIA
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Auburn Wings
- Airport: AUN, Auburn, runway 25, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 347 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890924035929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890924035929A), Sep 24, 1989: Bbavia 7KCAB, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. First solo in tail wheel aircraft. Pushed trim knob instead of power on final too low put it into trees off runway.

## Other investigations on N1679G (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 LAX92LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA070), Dec 25, 1991: Bellanca 7KCAB (N1679G), Happy Camp, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: THE EXCESSIVE NATURE OF THE MANEUVERS ATTEMPTED BY THE PILOT AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER PITCH ATTITUDE AND AIRSPEED TO AVOID AN…

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.