# NTSB LAX92LA127: Bellanca 7ECA, N4193Y, Apple Valley, CA, February 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1992, 09:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.570613, -117.149497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5706&lon=-117.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING TO THE LEVEL, SAGE BRUSH COVERED, OPEN DESERT TERRAIN, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE RECOMMENDED GLIDE AIRSPEED AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE.  THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT ON THE EVENING PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE PILOT FILLED THE FUEL TANKS WITH 19 GALLONS OF FUEL WHICH BROUGHT BOTH TANKS TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ABOUT 29.25 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANK LEVEL PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE ENGINE, AIRFRAME AND ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES AND THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL EXHAUSTION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE AIRPLANE'S OWNERS MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE FUEL ENDURANCE RANGE WITH 29.25 GALLONS OF FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 4 HOURS AND 52 MINUTES AT 75% POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4193Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4193Y-1994-05-18), registration cancelled 1994-05-18, S/N 119277 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1192-77
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chester Waite, doing business as Lompoc Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Chester Waite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LPC, LOMPOC, CA
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 214 total, 18 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920225004049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920225004049A), Feb 25, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Apple Valley, CA, Destroyed. Low on fuel,unable to make alternate airport. Had passed nearest airport. Engine quit. Stalled landing. Fuel empty.

## Other investigations on N4193Y (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 FTW82DA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA125), Mar 12, 1982: Bellanca 7ECA (N4193Y), Lubbock, TX, 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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