Bellanca 7ECA N53893 accident, Sonoma, CA, Oct 29, 1989 · NTSB LAX90LA018

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll

Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Ground loop/swerve - inadvertentPilot in command

Analysis

The pilot landed his aircraft on runway 34, after he observed the winds from 340. According to the pilot, the winds 'appeared to shift' causing a loss of control and a subsequent ground loop of the aircraft.

Aircraft

Registration: N53893
Reported as: Bellanca 7ECA
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 1140-76
Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Amelia Reid Aviation
Departed: RHV · San Jose, CA
Destination: 0Q3
Airport: 0Q3 · Sonoma Valley, runway 34, 2,240 × 50 ft, asphalt

N53893Registered now · Bellanca 7ECAS/N 1140-76 · Built 1975 Airframe modelBellanca 7ECA Engine modelLycoming 0-235 series4 cycle

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 34
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours: 173 total · 131 in this make and model · 102 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 340° at 8 knots
Visibility: 30 statute miles
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.

Accident 19891029049049ABbavia 7ECA · Schellville/Son, CALost control and ground looped the tail wheel aircraft after landing.Oct 29, 1989 · N53893 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N53893 · 5

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR14CA070Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSan Jose, CAThe flight instructor's failure to correct for the student pilot's loss of aircraft control in a timely manner during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's inability to see the taxiway sign from the rear seat.Dec 15, 2013 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX05CA282Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSan Jose, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with an runway sign.Aug 30, 2005 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX01LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSan Jose, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.Feb 15, 2001 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX95LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSan Jose, CAthe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the conventional gear aircraft during an aborted landing attempt. Factors in the accident were the student's high and fast approach and his failure to achieve the proper touchdown point.Feb 26, 1995 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX86LVM02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSan Jose, CAThe acft ground looped to the left after landing. The student plt said he attempted with rudder and aileron to regain directional control but failed. After rolling into the grass the acft nosed over. The plt said he should have held the stick back to assure…Feb 23, 1986 · Substantial damage