# NTSB FTW84FA083: Bellanca 17-30A, N4097B, Hebbronville, TX, December 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1983, 18:36 local (Dec 3, 1983, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Hebbronville, TX
- Coordinates: 27.309934, -98.679069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3099&lon=-98.6791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - not possible, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT PROCEEDED WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL THE PLT CONTACTED HOUSTON ARTCC. THE PLT REQUESTED THE DESTINATION WX & WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE AREA WAS IFR. THE CLOSEST ARPT REPORTING VFR CONDITIONS WAS AT MCALLEN, TX, APRX 80 MI SOUTHEAST. THE PLT THEN ADVISED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO REACH MCALLEN. AT 1828 CST, HE ADVISED THAT THE DESTINATION ARPT WAS SIGHTED BELOW. THE CONTROLLER ACKNOWLEDGED & CLEARED THE PLT TO CHANGE FREQUENCY FOR LANDING. ABOUT 7 MIN LATER, THE ACFT CRASHED IN OPEN MESQUITE RANGE WHILE IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN, SLIGHT LEFT BANK ATTITUDE, AT HI SPEED. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AFTER THE PLT'S LAST RADIO TRANSMISSION, THE ACFT OVERFLEW THE ARPT, TURNED LEFT & PROCEEDED NORTH, AWAY FROM THE ARPT, ABOUT 5 MI NORTH, IT MADE A 360 TURN, THEN CONTINUED 2 TO 3 MI FURTHER NORTH. A 180DEG TURN WAS THEN MADE & RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. DURING THAT TIME, THE ALT VARIED CONSIDERABLY. A RANCH FOREMAN HEARD THE ACFT FLYING AROUND BEFORE IT CRASHED. HE REPORTED AN OVERCAST WITH FOG & VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/8 MI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4097B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4097B-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 76-30806, built 1975 (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: 76-30806
- Airframe hours: 974
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Hunter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 38 hours before
- Departed: PVW, PLAINVIEW, TX
- Destination: 03XS, HEBBRONVILLE, TX
- Airport: 03XS, Jim Hogg County, runway 13, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 293 total, 257 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LRD, 50 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 19831202074669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831202074669A), Dec 2, 1983: Blanca 1730A, Hebronville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported sighting destination airport in area of near zero fog. Lost airport and low on fuel. Lost control. Crashed

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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