# NTSB CHI86FA102: Bellanca 17-30A, N123RM, Frankfort, MI, March 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1986, 06:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, MI
- Coordinates: 44.630588, -86.230339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6306&lon=-86.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM HIS LOCAL ARPT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS DESCRIBED CONDITIONS OF 100 FT VIS IN HEAVY GROUND FOG. AFTER LIFT-OFF HE BEGAN A LEFT TURN TOWARD A 300 FT HIGH RIDGE TOPPED BY 100 FT TREES. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TREE TOPS, THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123RM-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 84-30990, built 1984 (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: 84-30990
- Airframe hours: 384
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon W. Willoughby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1985, 100 hours before
- Departed: 3D4, FRANKFORT, MI
- Destination: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,606 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,466 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 28 nm away

## 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 19860314006429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860314006429A), Mar 14, 1986: Blanca 1730A, Frankfort, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck trees after take off in IFR conditons. The pilot filed an IFR flight plan. It was not activated.

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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