Bellanca 7GCBC
Rockport, CA — May 19, 2008
Event Information
| Date | May 19, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA150 |
| Event ID | 20080620X00889 |
| Location | Rockport, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.73139, -123.82389 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Bellanca |
| Model | 7GCBC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | IMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's performance of VFR flight into IMC, resulting in failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the fog.
Full Narrative
The pilot took off from a dirt airstrip with 1/2-mile visibility to the west due to ocean fog. The pilot flew into the fog, he then turned south. However, he continued into more fog, so he turned east. When he came out of the fog, he did not have enough altitude to clear trees on top of mountainous terrain ahead. He clipped some trees with the landing gear and impacted on a hilltop, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.