# NTSB DEN85FA009: Bellanca 14-19-3A, N8868R, Pinehill, NM, October 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1984, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinehill, NM
- Coordinates: 35.129673, -108.490776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1297&lon=-108.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

LEFT WING FAILED INFLIGHT. THUNDERSTORMS IN AREA AT TIME OF CRASH. PILOT WAS ENROUTE FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW JERSEY, HAD BEEN FLYING 4 HOURS, 18 MINUTES. AWAKE AT LEAST 7 HOURS. TRANSITED 1 TIME ZONE. NO RECORD OF WEATHER BRIEFING OR FLIGHT PLAN FILED. PILOT NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8868R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8868R-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 4230, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19-3A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4230
- Airframe hours: 32746
- Engines: Teledyne Cont I0-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Crowley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1983
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 194 total, 127 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 44 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 19841012055549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841012055549A), Oct 12, 1984: Blanca 14193A, Pinehill, NM, Destroyed. Wing came off as aircraft flew in area of thunderstorm and turbulence. Aircraft out of annual. No bfr on pilot.

## Other investigations on N8868R (2)

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.

- [NTSB OAK66F0205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66F0205), Feb 6, 1966: Bellanca 14-19 (N8868R), Santa Rosa, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66D0185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66D0185), Jan 11, 1966: Bellanca 260-A (N8868R), Santa Rosa, CA, substantial damage

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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