# NTSB WPR13CA065: Bellanca 7ECA, N8595V, Tehachapi, CA, December 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 7, 2012, 16:55 local (Dec 8, 2012, 00:55 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.134998, -118.439163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1350&lon=-118.4392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85762/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85762 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA065 ## Probable cause The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued descent into instrument meteorological conditions during the landing approach and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-instrument-rated pilot stated that prior to departure, weather reports indicated that clear sky conditions prevailed at the departure airport with areas of fog at his destination. Despite the possibility of fog at his destination, he decided to attempt the flight with the intention of diverting to an alternate airport if the weather conditions deteriorated. While en route over mountainous terrain, he observed fog encroaching the foothills near the destination airport. The pilot attempted to listen to the airport’s automated weather observation system but could only discern the altimeter reading due to radio static. He initiated a descent to the traffic pattern altitude and observed fog approaching the airport’s perimeter. The pilot further stated that as the airplane was on the final approach path, about 3 miles from the airport, the visibility began to decrease. In an effort to maintain visual contact with the airport, he maneuvered the airplane below a fog bank and elected to continue the approach in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane descended to about 500 feet above ground level and became surrounded by fog, resulting in the pilot losing visual reference. Shortly thereafter, the airplane touched down in a plowed field and rolled onto its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. Weather records revealed that at the time of the pilot’s initial weather briefing, the destination airport was reporting instrument meteorological conditions. The accident occurred just before dusk. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The non-instrument rated pilot stated that prior to departure, weather reports indicated that clear sky conditions prevailed at the departure airport with areas of fog at his destination. Despite the possibility of fog at his destination, he decided to attempt the flight with the intention of diverting to an alternate airport if the weather conditions deteriorated. While en route over mountainous terrain, he observed fog encroaching the foothills near the destination airport. The pilot attempted to listen to the airport’s automated weather observation system, but could only discern the altimeter reading due to radio static. He initiated a descent to the traffic pattern altitude and observed fog approaching the airport’s perimeter. The pilot further stated that as the airplane was on the final approach path, about 3 miles from the airport, the visibility began to decrease. In an effort to maintain visual contact with the airport, he maneuvered the airplane below a fog bank and elected to continue the approach. The airplane descended to about 500 feet agl and became surrounded by fog, resulting in the pilot losing visual reference. Shortly thereafter, the main landing gear touched down in a plowed field and the airplane rolled onto its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. Weather records revealed that at the time of the pilot’s initial weather briefing, the destination airport was reporting instrument meteorological conditions. The accident occurred just before dusk. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8595V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8595V), registered now, S/N 1076-75, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1076-75 - Airframe hours: 2277 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2012, 18 hours before - Departed: KSZP, Santa Paula, CA - Destination: KTSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: KTSP, Tehachapi, runway 29, 4,031 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 197 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KTSP, 3 nm away ## 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 20121207027909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121207027909A), Dec 7, 2012: Bellanca 7ECA, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. On 12/07/12, aircraft departed santa paula airport (szp) enroute to Tehachapi airport (tsp). Pilot flew into fog during approach to Tehachapi (tsp). Aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85762. 403 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - METAR - Tehachapi Municipal Airport (item 2, .TXT, 3 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383790&FileExtension=.txt&FileName=METAR%20-%20Tehachapi%20Municipal%20Airport-Master.txt - Sun and Moon Data for Bakersfield California (item 3, .TXT, 567 B): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383791&FileExtension=.txt&FileName=Sun%20and%20Moon%20Data%20for%20Bakersfield%20California-Master.txt 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.