# NTSB DEN91FA037: Bellanca 17-30A, N4035B, Olton, TX, January 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1991, 16:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Olton, TX
- Coordinates: 34.16994, -102.130737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1699&lon=-102.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRFRAME AND THE PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATICS AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT/MECHANIC HAD JUST COMPLETED AN ANNUAL 100 HOUR INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, A BELLANCA 17 30A SUPER VIKING, AND THIS WAS TO BE A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT PRIOR TO DELIVERY TO ITS OWNER, HIS BROTHER.  ONE WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE MOMENTARILY IN A SLIGHT CLIMB AT ABOUT 1500 FEET AGL.  WHEN HE SAW THE AIRPLANE AGAIN, IT WAS ABOUT 500 FEET AGL IN A NEAR VERTICAL DIVE.  TWO SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT, THE RIGHT WING FOLDED BACK BUT DID NOT SEPARATE.  HIS IMPRESSION WAS THE PILOT HAD DONE A SPLIT S OR WING OVER. ANOTHER WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 15 DEGREES PAST VERTICAL WITH THE RIGHT WING SHEARED OFF. THE PILOT, A FORMER AERIAL APPLICATOR, HAD BUILT AND REPORTEDLY PERFORMED AEROBATICS IN A PITTS S 2S SPECIAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4035B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4035B-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 74-30720, built 1974 (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: 74-30720
- Airframe hours: 1509
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Bozeman
- Registered owner: John C. Bozeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1991
- Departed: TS42, OLTON, TX
- Destination: PVW, PLAINVIEW, TX
- Airport: TS42, Del-Tex, runway 18, 2,640 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,955 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °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 19910126000989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910126000989A), Jan 26, 1991: Blanca 1730A, Olton, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On test flight was observed doing a split s aerobatic maneuver. Wing spar broke causing vertical dive to impact.

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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