On August 4, 1984, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N5516K) was involved in an aviation accident near Julian, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff, the pilot performed climbing turns to clear a mountain ridge. Approaching at 4800 ft MSL and expecting thermal lift, the aircraft lost altitude, descending at 2000 ft/min and contacting terrain at 4100 ft MSL at 53 mph. The outside air temperature was 108°F.
Flight Profile
Following takeoff, the aircraft executed several 360-degree climbing turns to gain sufficient altitude to clear a mountain ridge. The ridge was approached at an altitude of 4800 ft MSL, with the pilot anticipating a thermal lift over the 5500 ft level—a phenomenon that had been encountered on numerous prior occasions.
Terrain Contact
At 4800 ft MSL, the second pilot stated, "We aren't going to make it." Subsequently, the nose of the aircraft pitched down. Before remedial action could be taken, the aircraft entered a vertical descent at a rate of 2000 feet per minute. The aircraft then contacted terrain at 4100 ft MSL, with a ground speed of 53 mph. The outside air temperature (OAT) on the day of the accident was recorded as 108°F.