# NTSB DFW06CA125: Bellanca 17-A30, N93733, Georgetown, TX, May 13, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2006, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, TX - Coordinates: 30.6797222222222, -97.6727777777778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6797&lon=-97.6728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: SAT FSDO, San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 63677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63677/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA125 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 1,526-hour commercial pilot reported that he was returning the airplane after the completion of an extensive annual inspection. The pilot reported "topping off" the two main fuel tanks, performing a complete run-up, and finding no anomalies with the airplane's engine and flight controls. During the initial climb-out, while climbing through an altitude of 500 to 600 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he immediately checked the mixture and using the primer was able to momentarily regain engine power. Once again the engine lost power and an attempt to restart proved unsuccessful. While descending, the pilot elected to turn the airplane left towards an open field located northeast of the departure runway. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the tops of several trees, coming to rest on the ground, facing the approach heading. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed both wings separated from the fuselage, the propeller was detached, and the landing gear was broken off. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At the time of the accident, the weather was reported as wind from 200 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots, 10 statue miles visibility, clear skies, with temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 61 degrees Fahrenheit and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative The 1,526-hour commercial pilot reported in the Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that he was returning the airplane after the completion of an extensive annual inspection. The pilot reported "topping off" the two main fuel tanks, performing a complete run-up, and finding no anomalies with the airplane's engine and flight controls. During the initial climb-out, while climbing through an altitude of 500 to 600 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he immediately checked the mixture and using the primer was able to momentarily regain engine power. Once again the engine lost power and an attempt to restart proved unsuccessful. While descending, the pilot elected to turn the airplane left towards an open field located northeast of the departure runway. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the tops of several trees, coming to rest on the ground, facing the approach heading. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed both wings separated from the fuselage, the propeller was detached, and the landing gear was broken off. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At the time of the accident, the weather was reported as wind from 200 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots, 10 statue miles visibility, clear skies, with temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 61 degrees Fahrenheit and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93733](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93733-2006-11-09), registration cancelled 2006-11-09, S/N 73-30580, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-A30 - 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: 73-30580 - Airframe hours: 2636.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel B. Williams - Registered owner: Daniel. B. Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006, 0.4 hours before - Departed: GTU, Georgetown, TX - Destination: 88R, Spicewood, TX - Airport: KGTU, Georgetown Municipal Airport, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,526 total, 307 in this make and model, 1,462 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KGTU, 1 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 20060513010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060513010539A), May 13, 2006: Blanca 1730A, Georgetown, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05/13/06, pilot in command operating aircraft N93733, a BL-17, departed gtu on pleasure flight, lost power and impacted ground. Aircraft suffered… 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.