# NTSB WPR13CA311: Bellanca 8GCBC, N613AP, Long Beach, CA, July 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2013, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817222, -118.151107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8172&lon=-118.1511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87394/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87394 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA311 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of flaps. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had full flaps extended during a low fly-by for the ground crew to inspect the banner. After the pass the pilot did not retract the flaps. During the climb, the airspeed deteriorated and the airplane stalled and impacted wires and a hillside. During the accident sequence, the right wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had full flaps extended during a low fly-by for the ground crew to inspect the banner. After the pass the pilot did not retract the flaps. During the climb, the airspeed deteriorated and the airplane stalled and impacted wires and a hillside. During the accident sequence, the right wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N613AP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N613AP), registered now, S/N 190-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 190-76 - Airframe hours: 6350 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Aerial Promotions Inc - Registered owner: Aerial Promotions Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2013 - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2012; seat: center; flight hours: 1,669 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,530 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: LGB, 1 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 20130706013239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130706013239A), Jul 6, 2013: Bellanca 8GCBC, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Shortly after pick up of a banner the aircraft began losing altitude and ultimately stalled and struck objects on the ground. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87394. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 789 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Airplane Flight Manual (item 3, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Flight%20Manual-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.