# NTSB LAX96LA022: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8649V, Hemet, CA, October 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 26, 1995, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Hemet, CA - Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29318/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA022 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the inadvertent stall while performing a short field landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DEMONSTRATE HIS SKILL AT PERFORMING A SHORT FIELD LANDING DURING A PREEMPLOYMENT EVALUATION FLIGHT TO BECOME A GLIDER TOW PILOT. ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT DESCENDED TO BETWEEN 10 AND 15 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, 200 FEET SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE WIND WAS CALM. ## Factual narrative On October 26, 1995, around 1230 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8649V, collided with terrain on short final approach to the Hemet-Ryan Airport, Hemet, California. The airplane was destroyed, and the certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries The passenger received serious injuries. At the time of the accident the pilot was demonstrating his airman skills to the rear seated glider flight instructor (CFI) for the purpose of acquiring employment towing gliders. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Hemet around 1215. The CFI reported that during the preemployment evaluation flight he asked the pilot-in-command to demonstrate his skill at performing a short field landing. The airplane's engine was operating normally, and the wind was light and variable. The pilot's initial approach appeared satisfactory; however, on short final approach the pilot allowed the airplane to become low and slow. The CFI stated that there was ample time for the pilot to take corrective action. Between 10 and 15 feet above ground level, the pilot suddenly stalled the airplane, lost control, and crashed into a rough field about 200 feet short of the threshold. The CFI further stated that there was insufficient time for him to have acquired control of the airplane in order to avert the accident. On November 1, 1995, the pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that during the accident flight his approach speed was initially 65 knots. He was trying to make a "low energy" landing. Although the wind was calm he may have encountered a shear, and then the airplane stalled. There were no reported mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8649V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8649V-2009-09-16), registration cancelled 2009-09-16, S/N 819-75, 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: 819-75 - Airframe hours: 3120 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: American Valet Air - Registered owner: Larry Hansen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1995, 71 hours before - Departed: HMT, CA - Destination: HMT - Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,045 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 399 total, 105 in this make and model, 344 as pilot in command, 268 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19951026034659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951026034659A), Oct 26, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, Hemet, CA, Destroyed. Check flight for glider tow. Short field demo too slow and low. Stalled. Crashed into rough area short of runway. ## Other investigations on N8649V (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 OAK79DVM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVM16), Mar 25, 1979: Bellanca 7GCBC (N8649V), Hollister, CA, substantial damage 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.