# NTSB LAX94LA151: Bellanca 7ECA, N5038M, Concord, CA, March 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 1994, 10:38 local (18:38 UTC) - Place: Concord, CA - Location: 37.9897° N, 122.0569° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BUCHANAN FLD (CCR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9897&lon=-122.0569&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 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA151 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPEREINCE IN TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT. ## 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) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A 5-HOUR DUAL INSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NO PRIOR TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE EXPERIENCE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ON HIS EIGHTH TOUCH-AND-GO PATTERN OPERATION AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVER- CORRECTED SOMEWHAT. THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE RUNWAY SIGN AS THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO TAKEOFF; THE COLLISION BENT THE STABILIZER. AS THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE, THE PILOT FELT THAT IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND HE SET IT BACK DOWN ON THE RUNWAY IN A CRAB. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 1994, at 1038 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5038M, collided with a runway sign following an on-ground loss of control while performing touch-and-go pattern operations at the Buchanan airport, Concord, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the Buchanan Flying Club of Concord, California, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Concord airport on the day of the accident at 0938 hours. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had just completed a 5-hour dual instruction period in tailwheel aircraft. The pilot said he had no prior tailwheel airplane experience. The pilot stated that he was on his eighth touch-and-go pattern operation and lost directional control during the landing. The aircraft veered to the edge of the runway and the pilot reported that he overcorrected somewhat. The horizontal stabilizer struck the runway sign as the pilot added power to takeoff; the collision bent the stabilizer. As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot felt that it was uncontrollable and he sat it back down on the runway in a crab angle. On touchdown, the landing gear collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5038M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5038M), registered now, S/N 1290-79, built 1979 (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: 1290-79 - Airframe hours: 1785 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-K2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Buchanan Flying Club - Registered owner: Buchanan Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 22, 1993, 37 hours before - Airport: CCR, Buchanan Fld, runway 32R, 4,601 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 431 total, 5 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CCR ## 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 19940304003779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940304003779A), Mar 4, 1994: Bbavia 7ECA, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Minimum tail dragger time. Lost control on 8th t and l. veered over corrected. Added power lifted. Hit sign. Aborted 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.