# NTSB DFW05CA021: Bellanca BL-17-30A, N28086, Roanoke, TX, September 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2004, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Roanoke, TX - Coordinates: 33.076667, -97.23278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0767&lon=-97.2328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 60555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60555/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA021 ## Probable cause The disconnection of the engine mixture control cable due to improper maintenance which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - mixture control,cable - not connected - maintenance - improper, other person (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The 1,531 hour private pilot reported that during takeoff, the single-engine airplane seemed to be performing well; however, approximately 100-200 feet above ground level (agl), the engine started to lose power. The pilot stated that "while the engine did not completely stop, there was not enough power to maintain flight." The pilot then executed a forced landing into a rough and uneven field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the mixture control cable was found disconnected. The cable did not appear to be damaged from the forced landing. The engine was later run with no indication of any mechanical irregularities. The owner of the airplane reported that the airplane had been flown 2 hours since its last 100-hour inspection. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2004, approximately 1120 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL-17-30A single-engine airplane, N28086, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Roanoke, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The planned cross-country flight was originating from 52F just prior to the accident. The flight's intended destination was the Covington Municipal Airport (M04), near Covington, Tennessee. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the 1,531-hour pilot reported that during takeoff from runway 35, the engine "seemed to be performing well; however, approximately 100-200 feet above ground level (agl) over the north end of the runway, the engine started to lose power. The pilot stated that "while the engine did not completely stop, there was not enough power to maintain flight." Subsequently, the pilot switched the fuel tanks, checked that the mixture was in a "full rich" position, and turned on the fuel boost pump. Activation of the boost pump seemed to provide a "short surges in power," and allowed the pilot to maneuver around power lines and houses. The pilot then managed to slow the airplane enough to maneuver around a farmhouse and execute a forced landing into an open field just north of the airport. The pilot reported that the landing gear was extended and " it helped to absorb the energy and keep the impact slow." The left wing tip impacted a pile of rocks, and the aircraft swerved slightly to the left. The pilot added that the terrain was "slightly hilly, but free of trees, with lots of high weeds, cactus, and rocks." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the accident site, there was substantial damage to the left forward wing spar, landing gear fittings, and fuselage lower longerons. Further examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the mixture control cable was not connected. The disconnected cable did not appear to be damaged from the forced landing. The engine was later run with no indication of any mechanical irregularities. The owner of the airplane reported to the NTSB that the airplane had just completed a 100-hour inspection and had accumulated about 2 hours of flight time since the last inspection. This damage to the airplane was initially reported as minor, thus the accident was originally classified as an "incident." On November 15, 2004, the FAA notified the NTSB that structural damage was found and the mishap was then upgraded to an "accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28086](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28086-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 79-30929, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL-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: 79-30929 - Airframe hours: 1826 - Engines: Continental IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2004, 2 hours before - Departed: Roanoke, TX - Destination: M04, Covington, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 13, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,531 total, 469 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: AFW, 7 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 20040927035139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040927035139A), Sep 27, 2004: Blanca 1730A, Roanoke, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) N28086 departed northwest regional airport (52F) northbound. During climbout the aircraft experienced a partial power loss. The pilot switched fuel tanks… 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.