Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 7GCBC near Fallbrook, CA — 2020-11-11

Final reportWPR21LA052
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Date
2020-11-11
Location
Fallbrook, CA, USA
Airport
L18
Aircraft
BELLANCA 7GCBC
Registration
N57517
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined with the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the initial takeoff climb, between 400 and 600 ft above ground level, the engine started to sputter, and the airplane began to lose lift. The pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing back to the runway. The airplane landed hard and fast with about 1/3 of the runway remaining. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it ran off the runway and down a 50-ft embankment. A postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined with the available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff upon engine sputtering.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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