# NTSB FTW83LA285: Bellanca 17-30A, N28008, Clifton, TX, June 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1983, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, TX
- Coordinates: 31.779541, -97.580192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7795&lon=-97.5802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA285

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - bird(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE PLT SAW 2 BUZZARDS & ADDED POWER WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID THEEM, THEN CONTINUED THE APCH. THIS RESULTED IN LANDING BEYOND THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE MIDDLE OF THE RWY WAS HIGHER THAN EITHER END; THEREFORE, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO SEE A LARGE CANINE THAT WAS MOVING TOWARD THE LANDING AREA UNTIL THE ACFT WAS ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY. A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED, BUT AS THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED, THE WHEELS CONTACTED TREETOPS NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CAME TO REST IN A MILO FIELD ABOUT 250 YDS FROM THE INITIAL TREE IMPACT AFTER FLYING THRU ADDITIONAL TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28008](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28008-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 78-30868, built 1978 (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: 78-30868
- Airframe hours: 931
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airspace Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1982
- Departed: F72, FORT WORHT, TX
- Airport: 7F7, Clifton, runway 32, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,629 total, 214 in this make and model, 1,520 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F

## 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 19830618074649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830618074649A), Jun 18, 1983: Blanca 1730A, Clifton, TX, Substantial damage. Struck trees on attempted go around due to animals on the runway.

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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