# NTSB FTW92FA015: Bellanca 17-30A, N6307Y, Cotulla, TX, October 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1991, 20:10 local (Oct 28, 1991, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Cotulla, TX
- Coordinates: 28.429021, -99.230743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4290&lon=-99.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, AND A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS AND A MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOPILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system - shorted (contributing factor)
  - instrument light(s) - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A DARK NIGHT FROM RWY 13, WHICH HAD FEW VISUAL REFERENCES OFF THE DEP END. HE RPRTD THAT AFTER CLIMBING TO ABOUT 800 TO 1000 FT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF INSTRUMENT LIGHTING FOR THE HSI, ATTITUDE INDCR, ALTIMETER & VERTICAL SPEED INDCR. THE PSGR (HIS WIFE) HELD A FLASHLIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO ILLUMINATE THE EFFECTED INSTRUMENTS. HE ENGAGED THE HEADING HOLD (2 TIMES) & THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNDG LEFT TURN. REALIZING THE ACFT HAD ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT, HE PULLED THE YOKE AFT, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT THE PSGR NOTIFIED THE ARPT MANAGER OF THE ACDNT & A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. DRG THE INVESTIGATION, NO DISCREPANCY WITH THE AUTOPLT WAS VERIFIED, BUT A SHORT WAS FOUND AT A SPLICE IN THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTING SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6307Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6307Y-1996-01-27), registration cancelled 1996-01-27, S/N 8430991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84-30991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maze, Roy H.
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1991, 0 hours before
- Departed: COT
- Destination: AXH, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: COT, Cotulla

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,040 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: COT, 1 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 19911027046809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911027046809A), Oct 27, 1991: Blanca 1730A, Cotulla, TX, Destroyed. Panel lights went out on night takeoff. No ground lights. Lost control and crashed. Found short in HSI wire.

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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