# NTSB LAX95LA320: Bellanca 7GCBC, N31266, Santa Rosa, CA, September 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1995, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, CA - Coordinates: 38.500942, -122.75933 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5009&lon=-122.7593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA320 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's improper use of the brakes and the soft terrain were factors in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT MADE A THREE-POINT LANDING NEAR THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. WHEN THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IT BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THE RIGHT TURN AND GROUND LOOPED WHEN IT ENTERED THE SOFT TERRAIN NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1995, at 1120 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N31266, ground looped following a three-point landing on runway 32 at Santa Rosa Airport, Santa Rosa, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, operated by United Flight, Watsonville Airport, Watsonville, California, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated Watsonville Airport at 1000 hours. The pilot said in a telephone interview that the airplane touched down normally and then it began to turn right. The pilot had the control stick back and he applied the brakes to arrest the turn, but without success. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and ground looped when it entered the dirt. The local controller said in a telephone interview that the accident occurred near the approach end of the runway. He also said that the surface winds were calm. The operator submitted the required aircraft accident report. He indicated in the report that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31266](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31266), registered now, S/N 403-72, built 1972 (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: 403-72 - Airframe hours: 3778 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: United Flight Services, Inc. - Registered owner: Norman & Carol Gray - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 20, 1995, 34 hours before - Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA - Destination: STS - Airport: STS, Sonoma County Airport, runway 32, 5,115 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 121 total, 29 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: STS ## 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 19950902027609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950902027609A), Sep 2, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Exited runway. Ground looped. 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.