# NTSB LAX95LA097: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8643V, San Martin, CA, February 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 1995, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: San Martin, CA - Coordinates: 37.099742, -121.599334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0997&lon=-121.5993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29025/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA097 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to attain takeoff speed and maintain directional control from a grass airstrip and his improper preflight of the runway for obstructions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS INITIATING A TAKEOFF AT A CLOSED, GRASS AIRSTRIP WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WING CLIPPED A SMALL BUSH. THE PILOT COULD NOT ATTAIN FLYING SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A GULLY, NORTH OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES WITH THE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 1995, at 0900 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca Citabria 7GCBC, N8643V, crashed on takeoff near San Martin, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time with the winds calm. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft departed from the South County Airport in San Martin with a destination of Merced, California. According to the sheriff's report, the pilot landed at Hoover landing strip (closed dirt airstrip) shortly after departure from the South County Airport, for the purpose of securing some articles on the back seat. After securing the items, the pilot attempted a downhill takeoff in a westerly direction with no wind. With 1,500 feet of runway remaining, the aircraft wing clipped a small bush which pulled the aircraft to the right. The pilot could not attain flying speed and the aircraft bounced several times before the landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest in a gully north of the airstrip. The pilot reported no mechanical problems to the sheriff. The sheriff observed the throttle hand control to be 1/2 open. The carburetor heat control was closed/cold. The flap handle was in the up position. The electric master switch was off. The mixture control was found full lean. The left wing fuel tank was full, and the right wing fuel tank was empty. The pilot did not submit an aircraft accident report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8643V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8643V), registered now, S/N 817-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 817-75 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William T. Manley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Q99 - Destination: MCE, MERCED, CA - Airport: Hoover Landing Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,050 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - 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 19950203001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950203001149A), Feb 3, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. Clipped a bush on takeoff. Veered and bounced. Collapsed landing gear. Stopped in gulley off end of runway. 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.