# NTSB ATL86FA125: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N28138, Winchester, TN, May 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1986, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Winchester, TN
- Location: 35.1775° N, 86.0662° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WINCHESTER MUNI (BGF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1775&lon=-86.0662&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA125

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, other govt organization (contributing factor)
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, other person (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, other govt organization (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - runway maintenance - uncontrolled, airport personnel (cause)
  - air/ground communications - disregarded, airport personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A VFR PATTERN AT AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT AND NOTED A TRUCK ALONGSIDE THE NORTH END OF THE RWY. THE PLT DID NOTSEE ANY PERSONS ON THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE PLT NOTICED A MAN ON THE RWY NEAR THE RIGHT WINGTIP. A JOLT WAS FELT AS THE ACFT CONTACTED THE WORKMAN. WORKMEN HAD SHOWN UP AT THE ARPT TO SEAL THE RWY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.A LOCAL NOTAM WAS ISSUED BUT THE PLT HAD DEPARTED EARLIER IN THE DAY, FLEW TO ANOTHER FIELD AND RETURNED TO WINCHESTER. NONE OF THE WORKMEN WERE WEARING HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING NOR WAS A LOOKOUT POSTED TO WARN OF TRAFFIC ON THE ARPT. ARPT PERSONNEL DID NOT RESPOND TO THE PLT'S UNICOM CALL FOR AN ARPT ADVISORY. THE SEALING CONTRACT WAS MADE BY THE STATE WITH NO LOCAL INVOLVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28138](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28138), registered now, S/N 78-31142, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78-31142
- Airframe hours: 1233
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin L. Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1985, 231 hours before
- Departed: MQY, SMYRNA, TN
- Airport: BGF, Winchester Municipal, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,618 total, 502 in this make and model, 1,477 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860506019679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860506019679A), May 6, 1986: Blanca 1731ATC, Winchester, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a worker on the runway. Pilot failed to visually clear the runway. Airport manager not using UNICOM.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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