# NTSB FTW92FA061: Bellanca 17-30, N4869V, Oklahoma City, OK, January 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1992, 07:33 local (13:33 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Coordinates: 35.520465, -97.440971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5205&lon=-97.4410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA061

## Probable cause

THE SECOND PILOT'S (LEFT SEAT) FAILURE TO ATTAIN A POSITIVE RATE-OF-CLIMB DURING AN INSTRUMENT TAKEOFF, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. FACTORS WERE: THE WEATHER, AND THE COPILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME AND TRAINING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT-IN-COMMAND, THE LEFT SEAT NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT MADE THE IFR TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO TREES AS THE PIC WAS LOOKING AT A CHART & PUTTING A VOR INTO THE LORAN. THE PIC WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE LEFT SEAT PILOT. TOXICOLOGICAL TEST RESULTS ON THE LEFT SEAT PILOT REVEALED DIPHENHYDRAMINE AND PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE (ANTIHISTAMINES) IN THE URINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4869V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4869V-1993-05-05), registration cancelled 1993-05-05, S/N 30115 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30115
- Airframe hours: 1885
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sludge Disposal, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sludge Disposal, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1991, 88 hours before
- Destination: VHN, VAN HORN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2EJ, Expressway Airpark, runway 2, 3,350 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920129001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920129001319A), Jan 29, 1992: Blanca 1730, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Impacted trees on hillside on IFR climbout fog low ceiling low time pilot left seat PIC right seat.

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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