# NTSB DEN84LA024: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N14780, Crested Butte, CO, November 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1983, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Crested Butte, CO
- Coordinates: 38.869873, -106.980506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8699&lon=-106.9805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA024

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE GROUND WAS COVERED WITH ABOUT 6 INCHES OF LIGHT SNOW & THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 5 TO 10 KTS. A SNOW PLOW PRECEEDED HIM TO THE RWY & HAD CLEARED A STRIP ABOUT 10 TO 12 FT WIDE ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF THE RWY. WHEN THE PLT WAS READY FOR TAKEOFF, HE DID NOT SEE THE SNOW PLOW. AFTER WAITING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE PLT THOUGHT THAT THE SNOW PLOW OPERATOR WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO TAKEOFF, SO HE (THE PLT) ELECTED TO PROCEED WITH THE DEPARTURE. THE PLT STATED THAT AT APRX 50 MPH, DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT BEGAN DRIFTING LEFT. HE CORRECTED WITH LIGHT RIGHT RUDDER, BUT REPORTED THE ACFT OVERREACTED. LEFT RUDDER WAS THEN APPLIED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL ENCOUNTERED SNOW & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY. THE PLT PULLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, BUT BEFORE STOPPING, THE ACFT HIT A ROCK EMBANKMENT, THE PROP WAS DAMAGED, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14780-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 74-31096, built 1974 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 74-31096
- Airframe hours: 1310
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aspen Aero Club
- Registered owner: Bellanca N14780 Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1983
- Destination: GUC, GUNNISON, CO
- Airport: 3V6, Crested Butte Mun., runway 11, 4,500 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 862 total, 86 in this make and model, 727 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 2V9, 20 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 19831114057399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831114057399A), Nov 14, 1983: Blanca 1731ATC, Crested Butte, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control on attempted takeoff downwind on a partially plowed runway. Veered into a snow bank.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.