# NTSB LAX90LA018: Bellanca 7ECA, N53893, Sonoma, CA, October 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1989, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.240142, -122.460296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2401&lon=-122.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA018

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53893), registered now, S/N 1140-76, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1140-76
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891029049049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891029049049A), Oct 29, 1989: Bbavia 7ECA, Schellville/Son, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped the tail wheel aircraft after landing.

## Other investigations on N53893 (5)

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 WPR14CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA070), Dec 15, 2013: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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…
- [NTSB LAX05CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA282), Aug 30, 2005: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with an runway sign.
- [NTSB LAX01LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA100), Feb 15, 2001: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
- [NTSB LAX95LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA122), Feb 26, 1995: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the 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…
- [NTSB LAX86LVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LVM02), Feb 23, 1986: Bellanca 7ECA (N53893), San Jose, CA, substantial damage

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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