# NTSB LAX93LA128: Bellanca 7ECA, N5506C, Palo Alto, CA, February 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1993, 11:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450763, -122.09922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4508&lon=-122.0992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING CROSSWIND CONDITION AND HIS RESULTANT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

IN A VERBAL STATEMENT TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A TOUCH AND GO HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER AFTER ENCOUNTERING A SOFT MUDDY AREA.  REVIEW OF THE ATCT TAPES REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS GIVEN A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE FROM RUNWAY 12, AND, WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON THE FIRST CIRCUIT, THE RUNWAY WAS CHANGED BY THE ATCT TO 30.  PRIOR TO LANDING, THE ATCT TRANSMITTED TWO WIND ADVISORIES TO THE PILOT, INDICATING WINDS FROM 230 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS.  THE CONTROLLERS ON DUTY IN THE TOWER CAB REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT MID FIELD, THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO A GRASSY AREA.  THE CONTROLLERS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT, CROSSED OVER THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN A MARSHY AREA ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5506C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5506C), registered now, S/N 1267-78, built 1978 (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: 1267-78
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: John R. Schulte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PAO
- Destination: PAO
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto Of Santa Clara, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 1 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 19930220002979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930220002979A), Feb 20, 1993: Bbavia 7ECA, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into severe crosswind on landing then recrossed runway into mud and nosed over. Too much crosswind.

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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