Skip to content

Atlas / NTSB / LAX03LA086

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event LAX03LA086

2003-02-08 OCEANO, California, United States Airport · L52 None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N7686B

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

BELLANCA 14-19-2

Year of manufacture

1957 · 46 years old at event

Engine

CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)

Seats / Engines

4 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19571107

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S AA626C

Registrant of record

FISHBURN MICHAEL T

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Factual narrative

On February 8, 2003, about 0950 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 14-19-2, N7686B, veered off the runway and nosed over while on the landing roll at Oceano County Airport, Oceano, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Santa Ynez Airport, Santa Ynez, California, about 0915, with the planned destination of Oceano. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 11 in calm wind conditions. The airplane touched down with a ground speed of about 60 miles per hour. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder pressure and right brake to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) generated by an Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) at San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo, California (located 8.2 nautical miles north of the accident site), indicated that about 4 minutes after the accident, winds were calm. The airplane experienced a loss of directional control and nosed over while on the landing roll. The airplane touched down in calm wind conditions. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder pressure and right brake to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2003_LAX03LA086.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.