# NTSB LAX92LA046: Bellanca 7ECA, N36243, Fremont, CA, November 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1991, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.559539, -121.980644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5595&lon=-121.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE STALL SPEED.  HIS OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND HIS INADEQUATE TRAINING IN ACROBATIC FLIGHT WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT HAD FLOWN TO ANOTHER AIRPORT TO PICK-UP A PILOT. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE EXECUTING A LOW LEVEL STEEP TURN IN A CANYON BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN.  THE PILOT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPLANE AND WAS NOT ADEQUATELY TRAINED IN AEROBATIC FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36243](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36243-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 960-73, built 1973 (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: 960-73
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hayward Air Squadron
- Registered owner: Naylor, Jennifer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1991
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,736 total, 91 in this make and model, 1,677 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 21 nm away

## 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 19911119052599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911119052599A), Nov 19, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Fremont, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed in low level maneuvers in a canyon prior to nose down collision with the terrain.

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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