# NTSB DEN93LA006: Bellanca 17-30A, N14695, Grand Junction, CO, October 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1992, 19:11 local (Oct 18, 1992, 01:11 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Coordinates: 39.110668, -108.529609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1107&lon=-108.5296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA006

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR UPPER DRAG STRUT BRACKET DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear attach point - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear attach point - fatigue (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR, THE GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.  THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS AND CONTROL TOWER PERSONNEL ADVISED HIM THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE LANDED, IT SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE UPPER DRAG STRUT BRACKET WAS BROKEN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FRACTURED PIECES 'EXHIBITED FEATURES TYPICAL OF FATIGUE CRACKING' AT MULTIPLE POINTS OF ORIGIN AND 'OVERSTRESS SEPARATIONS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14695](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14695), registered now, S/N 74-30688, 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: 74-30688
- Airframe hours: 2540
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Classic Wings, Inc.
- Registered owner: Classic Wings, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1992, 113 hours before
- Departed: TVY, TOOELE, UT
- Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 29, 10,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 772 total, 267 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °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 19921017053009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921017053009A), Oct 17, 1992: Blanca 1730A, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Warning light on landing. Shop closed. Elected return to base. Again unsafe light. Nose gear collapsed landing.

## Other investigations on N14695 (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 ATL89LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA055), Dec 12, 1988: Bellanca 17-30A (N14695), Athens, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN82FTI17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTI17), Aug 24, 1982: Bellanca 17-30A (N14695), Browning, MT, 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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