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February 9, 2019 · Bellanca 7GCAA · N11666

Watsonville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Watsonville, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCAA (1972)
Tail Number
N11666
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19LA100

The flight instructor and pilot were conducting a flight review. The instructor reported that “everything looked good” during the simulated emergency landing before the pilot initiated a planned go-around while on final approach. The instructor did not recall the accident sequence. The airplane impacted terrain near the runway in a steep nose-down attitude consistent with a loss of control. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Calm to light wind was reported in the vicinity of the accident site around the time of the accident, with no significant low-level wind shear or turbulence below 1,000 ft. The investigation was unable to determine the reason for the loss of control.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Full Narrative

On February 9, 2019, about 1039 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7GCAA airplane, N11666, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Watsonville, California. The flight instructor and private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. The instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct a flight review for the private pilot. They departed Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI), Watsonville, California, to the southwest toward the coast and then set up on a left downwind for a simulated emergency landing to runway 28 at Monterey Bay Academy Airport (CA66), Watsonville, California. Due to the recent rain, they were not planning to land on the grass runway. The instructor stated that during the turn from base to final, “everything looked good” and the pilot initiated a go-around as planned. He further stated that the engine was running and producing power throughout the approach; however, he did not recall the accident sequence. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene, the airplane came to rest in an upright, nose-down position about 420 ft short of the approach end of runway 28, about 25 ft from the right side of the runway. The airplane impacted terrain in a steep nose-down attitude and displayed some rotational signatures. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the weather conditions revealed a trough of low pressure extended along the California coast in the immediate vicinity west of the accident site, with a general weak pressure gradient over the Watsonville area. The closest weather reporting location, about 3 nm, reported calm winds. A sounding model depicted a light southerly surface wind from 160° at 4 knots with no significant low-level wind shear or turbulence below 1,000 ft at the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:39 PST
Nearest AirportMonterey Bay Academy (0nm E)
Runway28
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCAA
Tail NumberN11666
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 52 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 45 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data