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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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October 2, 1986 · Bellanca 7ECA · N4178Y

Palo Alto, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N4178Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA001

THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE RWY. THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT ON HIS FIRST APCH HIS ALTITUDE WAS TOO HIGH AND HE WAS ALIGNED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT. DURING THE FLARE ON HIS SECOND APCH THE ACFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT. HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND TAIL WHEEL. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SKID RIGHT TO THE EDGE OF THE 65 FT WIDE RWY. THE PLT STATED, 'JUST AS LEAVING THE RUNWAY ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND BY ADDING FULL POWER. CRASHED.' THE STUDENT PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS CALM.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE RWY. THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT ON HIS FIRST APCH HIS ALTITUDE WAS TOO HIGH AND HE WAS ALIGNED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT. DURING THE FLARE ON HIS SECOND APCH THE ACFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT. HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND TAIL WHEEL. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SKID RIGHT TO THE EDGE OF THE 65 FT WIDE RWY. THE PLT STATED, 'JUST AS LEAVING THE RUNWAY ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND BY ADDING FULL POWER. CRASHED.' THE STUDENT PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS CALM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:09 PDT
Nearest AirportPALOALTO (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN4178Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:10
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data