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NTSB Report
September 20, 1987 · Bellanca 7ECA · N8598V
Sonoma, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sonoma, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N8598V
Operator
Aero Schellville
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA341
THE 70-HOUR STUDENT PLT HAD RECENTLY PASSED THE PVT PLT WRITTEN EXAM & HAD COMPLETED MOST OF THE FLT TRNG FOR CERTIFICATION. HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BECOMING A LICENSED PLT. WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT FLEW OVER HIS BROTHER'S RESIDENCE & WAS OBSERVED TO ROCK THE ACFT'S WINGS BACK & FORTH. THE PLT THEN FLEW OVER HIS OWN HOUSE. WHILE CIRCLING AT BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT. AGL, THE PLT'S MOTHER SAW THE ACFT & WAVED. SHE REPORTED THAT HER SON 'WIGGLED' THE ACFT'S WINGS. THEN, AS THE MOTHER WATCHED, THE ACFT'S BANK STEEPENED. NUMEROUS WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT'S BANK ANGLE INCREASED TO 90 (OR MORE) DEGREES, & THE ACFT RAPIDLY DESCENDED UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD WHILE IN A 60 DEG. PITCH DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ITS ENG.
Full Narrative
THE 70-HOUR STUDENT PLT HAD RECENTLY PASSED THE PVT PLT WRITTEN EXAM & HAD COMPLETED MOST OF THE FLT TRNG FOR CERTIFICATION. HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BECOMING A LICENSED PLT. WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT FLEW OVER HIS BROTHER'S RESIDENCE & WAS OBSERVED TO ROCK THE ACFT'S WINGS BACK & FORTH. THE PLT THEN FLEW OVER HIS OWN HOUSE. WHILE CIRCLING AT BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT. AGL, THE PLT'S MOTHER SAW THE ACFT & WAVED. SHE REPORTED THAT HER SON 'WIGGLED' THE ACFT'S WINGS. THEN, AS THE MOTHER WATCHED, THE ACFT'S BANK STEEPENED. NUMEROUS WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT'S BANK ANGLE INCREASED TO 90 (OR MORE) DEGREES, & THE ACFT RAPIDLY DESCENDED UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD WHILE IN A 60 DEG. PITCH DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ITS ENG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:06 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN8598V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAero Schellville
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT