# NTSB WPR26LA193: Bellanca 7ACA, N9158L, Pacific City, OR, May 14, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 14, 2026, 16:14 local (23:14 UTC) - Place: Pacific City, OR - Coordinates: 45.199361, -123.96189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1994&lon=-123.9619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203007/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203007 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during a precautionary landing following a partial reduction in engine rpm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the initial climb, the engine began to run abnormally and lose RPM. While troubleshooting, he noted the right magneto dropped by about 500 RPM. Unable to correct the malfunction, he chose to return to the departure airport to perform a precautionary landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, while correcting with rudder and brake, the airplane veered to the left and subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and rudder. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 14 with wind from 230° at 8 knots. Post accident examination of the ignition system revealed that the No. 3 cylinder ignition lead was degraded. The center conductor fell apart when the connector end was removed. The dielectric was worn and the center conductor was loose inside of the wire, allowing it to intermittently ground out against the shield and spring. No faults were observed with the remaining 7 leads. The reduction in engine RPM noted by the pilot was consistent with a faulty ignition lead. To facilitate recovery of the airplane, both tailwheel steering springs were disconnected by first responders from the tailwheel steering arm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9158L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9158L-2026-06-04), registration cancelled 2026-06-04, S/N 19-71, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ACA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 2A4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-2a4-series) (registry code 27001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19-71 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 1833.9 - Engines: Continental C85-12FJH 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sale Reported - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2026 - Destination: ONP, Newport, OR - Airport: PFC, Pacific City State, runway 14, 1,860 × 30 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2026; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 429 total, 8 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KTMK, 14 nm away - METAR: METAR KTMK 142315Z AUTO 23008KT 10SM SCT027 BKN039 OVC065 14/11 A3020 RMK AO2= ## 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 20260514006339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260514006339A), May 14, 2026: Bellanca 7ACA, Pacific City, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger entered the plane at pfc, started up at 15:57 local time, and taxiied to hold-short of rwy 14. A preflight runup was then conducted noting… ## Other investigations on N9158L (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 LAX86LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA227), May 21, 1986: Bellanca 7ACA (N9158L), Lompoc, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203007. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 14 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20508335&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of e-mail correspondence (FAA) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20508619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20e-mail%20correspondence%20(FAA)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of phone conversation (FAA) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 573 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20618644&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20(FAA)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20492647&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA193%20Photo%20Array-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.