Bellanca 7GCBC N8634

Summary

On 14 June 2005 at about 18:39 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N8634, operated by Jeffrey D. Zajicek, was involved in an accident near Woodfords, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 2005 at 18:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodfords, California, United States

Coordinates

38.8025, -119.7808

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N8634

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jeffrey D. Zajicek

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carson City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX05LA204

1 person died.

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while turning in strong wind conditions, which resulted in a stall/spin. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane stalled and descended to ground impact while turning in high wind conditions close to the ground. One witness said that the airplane was flying directly into the strong winds that were out of the southwest at 25 to 30 knots. He believed the airplane's ground speed was in the 40-knot range as it appeared to be following a road at about 200 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane began a left turn with a gentle bank that increased slowly to around 45 degrees of bank. As the aircraft reached about 100 degrees of turn, it started to drop. As the turn continued, the aircraft's tail began yawing back and forth as the right wing continued to drop. The aircraft then descended into the trees at a 45-degree nose down attitude. Based on temperatures, elevations, and station pressures of nearby weather reporting facilities, the density altitude was computed to be around 7,300 feet. Examination of the wreckage by FAA inspectors found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airframe or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.