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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 3, 1995 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N8643V

San Martin, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Martin, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N8643V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA097

THE PILOT WAS INITIATING A TAKEOFF AT A CLOSED, GRASS AIRSTRIP WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WING CLIPPED A SMALL BUSH. THE PILOT COULD NOT ATTAIN FLYING SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A GULLY, NORTH OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to attain takeoff speed and maintain directional control from a grass airstrip and his improper preflight of the runway for obstructions.

Full Narrative

On February 3, 1995, at 0900 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca Citabria 7GCBC, N8643V, crashed on takeoff near San Martin, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time with the winds calm. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft departed from the South County Airport in San Martin with a destination of Merced, California. According to the sheriff's report, the pilot landed at Hoover landing strip (closed dirt airstrip) shortly after departure from the South County Airport, for the purpose of securing some articles on the back seat. After securing the items, the pilot attempted a downhill takeoff in a westerly direction with no wind. With 1,500 feet of runway remaining, the aircraft wing clipped a small bush which pulled the aircraft to the right. The pilot could not attain flying speed and the aircraft bounced several times before the landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest in a gully north of the airstrip. The pilot reported no mechanical problems to the sheriff. The sheriff observed the throttle hand control to be 1/2 open. The carburetor heat control was closed/cold. The flap handle was in the up position. The electric master switch was off. The mixture control was found full lean. The left wing fuel tank was full, and the right wing fuel tank was empty. The pilot did not submit an aircraft accident report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PST
Nearest AirportHoover Landing Strip (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN8643V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data