# NTSB FTW85FA054: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N8222R, Allen, TX, November 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1984, 18:00 local (Nov 18, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Allen, TX
- Coordinates: 33.099079, -96.660079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0991&lon=-96.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PLT, WHO WAS NOT CURRENT FOR NIGHT/INSTRUMENT FLT, TRIED TO MANEUVER BENEATH A LOW OVERCAST ON A DARK NIGHT. ALTHOUGH SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO TELL RESCUE WORKERS THAT HE 'WAS TURNING AROUND AND JUST FLEW INTO THE GROUND.' THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT LOCATED FOR APRX 3 HRS DUE TO POOR VIS. THE ACCIDENT TIME WAS POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS 1800 CST FROM ACFT PERFORMANCE PROJECTIONS AND THE EARLIEST CALLER REPORTING THE ACCIDENT CONTACTED COLLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY AT 2121 CST AFTER A FARMER FOUND THE WRECKAGE. DURING THE ACFT GROUND BOUNCES/SLIDE AND BREAKUP, AN 80 LB DOG, HEAVILY SEDATED AND UNRESTRAINED, WAS THROWN FOWARD FROMA REAR SEAT AND POSSIBLY COLLIDED WITH THE RT FRONT SEAT PAX WHO WAS RESTRAINED BY A LAP BELT. FATAL INJURIES TO RIGHT FRONT SEAT PAX WERE CONSONANT WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL IMPACT AND A BLOW TO THE BACK AND HEAD. NO SHOULDER HARNESSES WERE AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8222R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8222R-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 31028, built 1971 (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: 31-028
- Airframe hours: 1189
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. Johnn E. Whatley Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 25, 1983, 82 hours before
- Departed: HO5, WILBURTON, OK
- Destination: 52F, ROANOKE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 918 total, 131 in this make and model, 910 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °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 19841117062799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841117062799A), Nov 17, 1984: Blanca 1731ATC, Allen, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Pilot was turning around due to weather when he flew into ground. No record of pilot checking destination weather.

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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