# NTSB ERA12CA075: Bellanca 17-30A, N39836, Pine Mountain, GA, November 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2011, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Pine Mountain, GA - Coordinates: 32.840557, -84.882499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8406&lon=-84.8825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach, as the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power, and the airplane experienced a severe sink. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered left, and the pilot applied the right rudder pedal; however, the airplane continued off the left side of the runway into a ditch and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the airplane's left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage and left wing. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during approach, as the airplane crossed the runway 9 threshold, he reduced engine power and the airplane experienced a severe sink. Upon touchdown the airplane veered left and the he applied right rudder pedal; however, the airplane continued off the left side of the runway into a ditch and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the airplane's left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage and left wing. The recorded wind at an airport located approximately 15 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 110 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39836](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39836-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 73-30507, built 1972 (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: 73-30507 - Airframe hours: 2763 - Engines: Lycoming IO-520 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Herman West - Registered owner: Ola Dunning - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2010, 13 hours before - Departed: FZG, Fitzgerald, GA - Destination: PIM, Pine Mountain, GA - Airport: PIM, Harris County Airport, runway 09, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: CSG, 15 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 20111118027989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111118027989A), Nov 18, 2011: Bellanca 17-30A, Pine Mountain, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot and witnesses state that aircraft was on normal final approach. Aircraft veered sharply to the left on touchdown and crossed a grassy area and came to… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82339. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 933 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF 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.