# NTSB OAK78FVD10: Bellanca 7GCBC, N3085G, Tracy, CA, November 18, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: November 18, 1977
- Place: Tracy, CA · TRACY, CA
- Location: 37.7274° N, 121.4522° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tracy, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7274&lon=-121.4522&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 December 21, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FVD10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVD10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3437  77/11/18   TRACY,CA            BELLANCA 7GCBC      CR-  0  1  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 26, 250
        TIME - 1645                    N3085G              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TRACY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TRACY,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- CRASHED SHORT OF RWY IN GRAVEL PIT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3085G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3085G), registered now, S/N 91, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tracy

## 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 19771118036089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771118036089A), Nov 18, 1977: Blanca 7GCBC, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed short of rwy in gravel pit.

## Other investigations on N3085G (2)

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 ANC22LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA051), Jun 24, 2022: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions with resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC15CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA055), Jul 24, 2015: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Skweetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface which resulted in a nose over.

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.

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