# NTSB LAX91LA354: Bellanca 7KCAB, N31279, Monterey, CA, August 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1991, 12:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Location: 36.6012° N, 121.8828° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Monterey, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6012&lon=-121.8828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA354
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA354

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT 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 (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE 'FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE DID A GROUND LOOP, VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT.  UPON CONTACT WITH THE SOFT DIRT OFF THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT LANDING GEAR BROKE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31279](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31279-1993-06-01), registration cancelled 1993-06-01, S/N 33372 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 333-72
- Airframe hours: 3630
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Santa Cruz Aviation
- Registered owner: John W. Mcmains
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1991, 2 hours before
- Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA
- Airport: MRY, Monterey Pen, runway 28, 3,500 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 198 total, 12 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19910811033029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910811033029A), Aug 11, 1991: Bbavia 7KCAB, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing. Ground looped.

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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