# NTSB DEN84LA123: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N4166B, Gallup, NM, April 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1984, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.520763, -108.730384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5208&lon=-108.7304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA123

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING HIS RECENTLY PURCHASED ACFT. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ROSE MOMENTARILY, THEN SETTLED BACK TO THE RWY. THE PLT SAID HE THEN HAD A DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM AND THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE BLAMED THE RISE AND FALL ON A 'GUST OR SHEAR.' IN HIS 1ST TELEPHONIC INTERVIEW HE SAID THAT THE WIND ON RWY 24 WAS FROM THE LEFT (10-12 KTS). A WRITTEN REPORT HE STATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEGREES AT 10 GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE GALLUP FSS REPORTED THE WIND AS CALM. THE PLT HAD MADE 4 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF ACFT. DURING THIS OCCURRENCE THE MAIN GEAR WAS TORN OFF, THE PROP DAMAGED AND A FUSELAGE STRINGER BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4166B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-31117
- Airframe hours: 1785
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Greenfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1983
- Departed: GUP
- Destination: TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: GUP, Senator Clarke, runway 24, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 433 total, 5 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840404008439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840404008439A), Apr 4, 1984: Blanca 1731ATC, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Took off with slight crosswind and high density altitude, settled on runway, ran off left side of runway.

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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