# NTSB LAX92LA070: Bellanca 7KCAB, N1679G, Happy Camp, CA, December 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1991, 15:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Happy Camp, CA
- Coordinates: 41.779632, -123.469741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7796&lon=-123.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA070

## Probable cause

THE EXCESSIVE NATURE OF THE MANEUVERS ATTEMPTED BY THE PILOT AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER PITCH ATTITUDE AND AIRSPEED TO AVOID AN AERODYNAMIC STALL, AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PERFROM NECESSARY REMEDIAL ACTIONS TO PREVENT A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO PILOT WITNESSES LOCATED ON THE GROUND AT THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF IN THE FIRST 1/3 OF THE RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF SEQUENCE. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 FEET, THE AIRPLANE TURNED 90 DEGREES WITH A 90 DEGREE ANGLE OF BANK. THE AIRPLANE MADE A SECOND 90 DEGREE TURN TO A DOWNWIND WITH A 90 DEGREE ANGLE OF BANK AT AN ALTITUDE OF 300 FEET.  THE WITNESSES STATED THAT '...DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, YAWED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN LEFT BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND.'  THE WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE WAS 'RUNNING FINE' DURING THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM WERE IDENTIFIED BY FAA INSPECTORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1679G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1679G-1992-04-21), registration cancelled 1992-04-21, S/N 134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 142
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunshine Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Auburn Wings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Destination: T99, MONTAGUE, CA
- Airport: 36S, Happy Camp, runway 4, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,744 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19911225057159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911225057159A), Dec 25, 1991: Bbavia 7KCAB, Happy Camp, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Made two steep turns on departure and stalled in second 90 degree turn to downwind. Burned on impact.

## Other investigations on N1679G (1)

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 LAX89LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA322), Sep 25, 1989: Bellanca Citabria (N1679G), Auburn, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF NOSE DOWN TRIM WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A TREE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

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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