# NTSB LAX95LA240: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8634, Long Beach, CA, July 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1995, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.780685, -118.139289 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7807&lon=-118.1393&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29142 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29142/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA240 ## Probable cause the inadvertent entanglement of the banner tow cable with the rudder control system, which resulted in a full and uncorrectable deflection of the rudder, and the pilot's inability to control the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - external load cable/hook - entangled (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - snagged (cause) - flight control,rudder - hardover (cause) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - object - fence - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE TOW SYSTEM ON THE AIRCRAFT CONSISTS OF A SHORT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A HOOK ON THE END. THE HOOK IS THEN USED TO SNAG THE BANNER CABLE DURING A PICKUP MANEUVER. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THE CABLE IS ROUTED OUTBOARD OF THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLES WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE HORN AND SPRINGS OF THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING MECHANISM. THE PILOT THEN HOLDS THE HOOK UNDER TENSION WITH HIS LEFT HAND DURING THE TAKEOFF AND DROPS THE HOOK ONCE AIRBORNE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LIFTED OFF NORMALLY, DROPPED THE HOOK CABLE, AND THEN HOOKED THE BANNER CABLE NEAR THE END OF RUNWAY 25R. IMMEDIATELY, THE RUDDER WENT TO A FULL RIGHT DEFLECTION AND THE PILOT COULD NOT CORRECT THE RUDDER WITH A PEDAL APPLICATION. THE PILOT MADE TWO RIGHT TURNS NEAR THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND SNAGGED THE BANNER ON A FENCE. THE TORN BANNER THEN BECAME UNSTABLE AND SNAGGED ON TREES AT AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON THE THIRD FAIRWAY. FRESH CABLE SIGNATURES WERE PRESENT COMPLETELY AROUND THE RUDDER CONTROL HORN AT THE RUDDER CABLE ATTACH POINT. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1995, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Citabria 7GCBC, N8634, collided with a fence, trees, and other property while maneuvering for a return to the airport at Long Beach, California. The aircraft developed a control malfunction while picking up a banner during the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was owned and operated by Drifter Corporation of Carefree, Arizona, and was engaged in a banner towing operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the multiple obstacle collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a local area flight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot and other witnesses, and examined the aircraft. He reported that the tow system on the aircraft consists of a short cable attached to the tail of the aircraft with a hook on the end. The hook is then used to snag the banner cable during a pickup maneuver. Prior to takeoff, the cable is routed outboard of the rudder control cables, which are attached to the horn and springs of the tail wheel steering mechanism. The pilot then holds the hook under tension with his left hand during the takeoff and drops the hook once airborne. The pilot reported that he lifted off normally, dropped the hook cable, and then hooked the banner cable near the end of runway 25R. Immediately, the rudder went to a full right deflection and the pilot could not correct the rudder with a pedal application. The pilot made two right turns near the airport boundary in an attempt to return to the airport and snagged the banner on a fence. The torn banner then became unstable and snagged on trees at an adjacent golf course and the aircraft crashed on the third fairway. The FAA inspector reported that fresh cable signatures were present completely around the rudder control horn at the rudder cable attach point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8634](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8634-2006-04-05), registration cancelled 2006-04-05, S/N 460-73 (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: 460-73 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Drifter Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1994 - Departed: LGB - Airport: LGB, Long Beach Muni, runway 25R, 6,192 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 626 total, 34 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 19950704024589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950704024589A), Jul 4, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed. Tow line fouled rudder on banner pickup. Full rudder deflection. Unable jetison banner. Snagged trees. Crashed. ## Other investigations on N8634 (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 LAX05LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA204), Jun 14, 2005: Bellanca 7GCBC (N8634), Woodfords, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while turning in strong wind conditions, which resulted in a stall/spin. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude. 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.