# NTSB FTW78FQD07: Bellanca 17-31, N8852V, Salt Flat, TX, December 22, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 22, 1977
- Place: Salt Flat, TX · SALT FLAT, TX
- Location: 31.7437° N, 105.0927° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salt Flat, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7437&lon=-105.0927&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FQD07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FQD07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3873  77/12/22   SALT FLAT,TX        BELLANCA 17-31      CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 69, 2655
        TIME - 1230                    N8852V              PX-  0  0  1  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 20 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WACO,TX                     EL PASO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8852V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8852V-2025-05-08), registration cancelled 2025-05-08, S/N 31016, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19771222040529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771222040529A), Dec 22, 1977: Blanca 1731ATC, Salt Flat, TX, 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.

---
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.