# NTSB CHI83LA142: Bellanca 17-30A, N93571, Columbus, OH, March 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1983, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 39.969371, -83.010681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9694&lon=-83.0107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - electrical system,electric relay - corroded (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD PURCHASED THE ACFT ON 2/28/83. FROM THAT DATE UNTIL THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT ON 3/16/83, HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LANDING GEAR. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RETRACT THE GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE INDICATORS SHOWED THAT THE GEAR HAD RETRACTED, BUT THERE WAS NO NORMAL SOUND OF GEAR RETRACTION. THE PLT FLEW PAST THE TOWER FOR A GEAR CHECK & TOWER PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN. DURING A SUBSEQUENT LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, THE ACFT WENT OF THE RWY & STRUCK A RWY LIGHT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE GEAR CONTROL RELAY & AIRSPEED SWITCH CONTACTS WERE CORRODED, PITTED AND/OR SCORED. WHEN THESE WERE REPLACED, THE GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PLT DID NOT USE THE MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION SYS WHICH WOULD HAVE POSITIONED THE GEAR IN THE DOWN & LOCKED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93571](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93571-2003-11-22), registration cancelled 2003-11-22, S/N 73-30616, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73-30616
- Airframe hours: 994
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Stevenson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 10 hours before
- Airport: OSU, Ohio State University, runway 9R, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,128 total, 9 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSU

## 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 19830316009239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830316009239A), Mar 16, 1983: Blanca 1730A, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Right landing gear collapsed during landing. Gear control relay and airspeed switch contacts were corroded.

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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