Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Fallbrook, California, November 11, 2020
On November 11, 2020 at about 5:50 pm local time, a 1973 Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N57517, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fallbrook, California (Fallbrook Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined with the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2020 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Fallbrook, California · Fallbrook Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC, built 1973 · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N57517 · registry record · serial 526-73
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 616 hours in all; 107 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 493 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 25, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,654 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2020; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 1,371 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,160 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 am from KNFG, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KNFG 111755Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 19/M02 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP171 T01941022 10194 20017 58007 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's On-site Exam | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memo for Record - Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.