# NTSB LAX98LA078: Bellanca 8KCAB, N7921S, Van Nuys, CA, January 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 1998, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.189838, -118.489929 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1898&lon=-118.4899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30025/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA078 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), takeoff - aborted - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis While on the takeoff roll the aircraft pulled hard to the left and the pilot counteracted with full right rudder. The aircraft departed the runway, crossed a grass area and a taxiway, and continued to a ramp area. The pilot was unable to stop the accident aircraft from impacting two parked aircraft. Winds at the time were from 090 degrees at 7 knots. The aircraft was examined on-scene and no mechanical difficulties were noted with the brakes. Flight control continuity was established on scene. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 1998, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N7921S, veered off runway 16R on a midfield takeoff and struck several parked aircraft at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The aircraft, on lease back to AV-8, a fixed based operator at the airport, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. Winds reported at the time of the accident were 090 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that he had been given permission to taxi to runway 16R via taxiway 10G and cleared for takeoff. The pilot stated that on the takeoff roll everything was normal. The tail wheel came off the ground and the main landing gear started to depart the ground. He reported that the aircraft pulled hard to the left; he countered with full right rudder, but the aircraft continued to pull to the left. The aircraft departed the runway, crossed a grass area and a taxiway, and continued to the north ramp. The pilot stated that he was unable to stop the aircraft from impacting a Beech and a Cessna aircraft. The aircraft was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector from the Van Nuys Flight Standards District Office. No mechanical difficulties were noted with the brakes, and flight control continuity was established on scene. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7921S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7921S-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 272-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 272-76 - Airframe hours: 1436 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-320-E1B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Warren E. Leavitt Jr. - Registered owner: Invertible Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1997, 83 hours before - Departed: VNY - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys Airport, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 26 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY ## 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 19980127012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980127012669A), Jan 27, 1998: Bbavia 8KCAB, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff. Struck several parked aircraft. Looking at CFI abilities. (.4) while on the takeoff roll the aircraft pulled hard to the left and the… ## Other investigations on N7921S (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 ATL92LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA119), Jun 7, 1992: Champion 8KCAB (N7921S), Wallace, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE CROSSWIND LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. 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.