# NTSB WPR21LA052: Bellanca 7GCBC, N57517, Fallbrook, CA, November 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 11, 2020, 09:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Fallbrook, CA - Coordinates: 33.355782, -117.25139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3558&lon=-117.2514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102284/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102284 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA052 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined with the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial takeoff climb, between 400 and 600 ft above ground level, the engine started to sputter, and the airplane began to lose lift. The pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing back to the runway. The airplane landed hard and fast with about 1/3 of the runway remaining. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it ran off the runway and down a 50-ft embankment. A postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined with the available evidence. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2020, about 0950 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N57517 sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Fallbrook, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, between 400 and 600 ft above ground level, the engine started to sputter, and the airplane began to lose lift. The pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing back to the runway. The pilot stated that the landing was hard and fast with about 1/3 of the runway remaining. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it ran off the runway and down a 50-ft embankment. Both wings and lift struts were substantially damaged. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the fuel in the engine gascolator was free of contaminants and contained blue-colored fuel that smelled of avgas. The spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures. The oil filter was removed and cut open to reveal no evidence of metal fragments or shavings. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand and accessory gear and valve train continuity was established. The examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57517](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57517), registered now, S/N 526-73 (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: 526-73 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 2654 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2020, 28 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: L18, Fallbrook Airpark, runway 18, 2,160 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 616 total, 107 in this make and model, 493 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KNFG, 6 nm away - METAR: KNFG 111755Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 19/M02 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP171 T01941022 10194 20017 58007 $ ## 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 20201111015419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201111015419A), Nov 11, 2020: Bellanca 7GCBC, Fallbrook, CA, Substantial damage. On November 11, 2020, aircraft N57517, shortly after takeoff from Fallbrook Airpark, Fallbrook, CA. (L18) reported mechanical failure. Pilot attempted to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102284. 14.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 14.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13316025&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's on-site exam (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13317154&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20inspector%27s%20on%20site%20exam-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - wreckage release (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13317164&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record%20-%20wreckage%20release-Rel.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.