# NTSB LAX90FA233: Bellanca 17-30A, N39843, Ojai, CA, June 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1990, 12:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Ojai, CA
- Coordinates: 34.509552, -119.290061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5096&lon=-119.2901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA233

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE BELLANCA, N39843, AS A RESULT OF ENCOUNTERING WAKE TURBULENCE DURING A NEAR-COLLISION WITH A NAVY F-14A.

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - daylight
- Vortex turbulence encountered, cruise - normal
  - maneuver - performed, pilot of other aircraft
  - wing,spar - cracked
- Near collision between aircraft, descent - normal
  - weather condition - daylight
  - traffic advisory - issued, atc personnel(artcc) (cause)
- Abrupt maneuver, descent - normal
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE NAVY PILOT HAD RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO DESCEND FROM 9,000 FT TO 5,000 FT ON A SOUTH-EASTERLY COURSE. THE WESTBOUND BELLANCA WAS CRUISING IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 8,500 FT. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED. WHEN THE TWO AIRPLANES WERE BETWEEN 100-300 FT OF EACH OTHER, THE NAVY PILOT OBSERVED THE TARGET AND ABRUPTLY PULLED UP. THE BELLANCA PASSED BENEATH THE F-14 AND ENCOUNTERED ITS WAKE. BOTH AIRPLANES LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE BELLANCA'S RIGHT WING'S REAR MAIN WOODEN SPAR WAS FOUND BROKEN. AT THE TIME, THE F-14 WAS BEING RADAR CONTROLLED BY A TRAINEE CONTROLLER UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION. THE SUPERVISOR HAD OBSERVED THE POSSIBLE TRAFFIC CONFLICT, AND HAD DIRECTED THE TRAINEE TO INFORM THE F-14. RESPONDING TO THE ADVISORY, THE PILOT OF THE F-14 OBSERVED THE TRAFFIC AND TOOK EVASIVE ACTION.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N39843](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39843), registered now, S/N 73-30493, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73-30A
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcnary, Jacqueline W & James
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: USN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN F-14A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 159426
- Engines: P&W TF-30-P414A 17077 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Navy
- Departed: NTD, NAS POINT MUGU, CA
- Destination: NTD, NAS POINT MUGU, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N39843; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,199 total, 1,199 in this make and model, 568 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft 2; age 30; military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,275 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900628022759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900628022759A), Jun 28, 1990: Blanca 1730A, Ojai, CA, Substantial damage. Had near miss with military F14A that executed evasive action. Wing spar cracked by wake.

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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