# NTSB FTW84LA210: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N39815, Rocksprings, TX, April 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1984, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Rocksprings, TX
- Coordinates: 30.010251, -100.209571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0103&lon=-100.2096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE CABIN DOOR OPENED IN-FLIGHT. WHILE MAKING A LANDING AT ROCKSPRINGS IN ORDER TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE PLT FAILED TO USE THE CHECKLIST AND LANDED THE ACFT WITH THE GEAR UP. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO GEAR EXTENDER, BUT BECAUSE OF GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS, POWER WAS NOT REDUCED ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39815](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39815-2002-10-10), registration cancelled 2002-10-10, S/N 73-31045, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- 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
- Serial number: 73-31045
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Mortensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UVA, UVALDE, TX
- Airport: 69R, Edwards County, runway 14, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,060 total, 1,203 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840424016279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840424016279A), Apr 24, 1984: Blanca 1731ATC, Rock Springs, TX, Substantial damage. Returned to land to secure unlocked cabin door and landed gear up.

## Other investigations on N39815 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW77DRG24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DRG24), Jan 11, 1977: Bellanca 1731TC (N39815), Eagle Pass, 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.

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