# NTSB CHI89LA075: Bellanca 17-30A, N39868, Watertown, WI, April 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1989, 18:00 local (Apr 24, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Location: 43.1894° N, 88.7289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watertown, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1894&lon=-88.7289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES AND THROTTLE.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PARKED AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS NEARBY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39868](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39868), registered now, S/N 73-30533, 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: 73-30533
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Stiles
- Registered owner: Richard Stiles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1989, 2 hours before

## 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: 1,795 total, 1,248 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk

## 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 19890423009699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890423009699A), Apr 23, 1989: Blanca 1730A, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft accelerated rapidly after starting engine and struck a parked aircraft.

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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