# NTSB FTW90FA125: Bellanca 17-30A, N6608V, Dallas, TX, June 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1990, 09:01 local (14:01 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.810493, -96.810737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8105&lon=-96.8107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA125

## Probable cause

THE INITIAL PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOLLOWED BY THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE STRIKING OF A HIDDEN SET OF TRANSMISSION WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - powerplant - failure,partial (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT FROM DALLAS TO TEXARKANA, TEXAS THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED LANDING GEAR PROBLEMS, SO HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO DALLAS RED BIRD AIRPORT. DURING HIS BASE LEG MANEUVERS HIS ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER, HOWEVER, POWER RETURNED MOMENTARILY BUT FAILED COMPLETELY WITHIN SECONDS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING TO A STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. DURING SHORT FINAL THE AIRLPLANE STRUCK A HIDDEN SET OF TRANSMISSION WIRES RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND NOSE GEAR. AFTER THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WIRES ITS FLIGHT PATH ANGLE AND AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE ALTERED DRAMATICALLY. AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO ITS FINAL RESTING PLACE IT WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE. NEITHER OCCUPANT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6608V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6608V-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 30278, built 1970 (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: 3028
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Martin, Reagan M., doing business as Martin Heritage Foundation
- Registered owner: Martin Reagan
- Departed: RBD, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: TXK, TEXARKANA, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,805 total, 1,429 in this make and model, 5,228 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Observed at: RBD, 3 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 19900626022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900626022629A), Jun 26, 1990: Blanca 1730A, Dallas, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Returning to airport due gear problems. Engine quit. Crashed burned. Out of annual had fueled three months prior.

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.