# NTSB FTW93FA033: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N39883, Dublin, TX, November 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1992, 02:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Dublin, TX
- Coordinates: 32.080902, -98.329704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0809&lon=-98.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA033

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IFR OPERATION BY THE PILOT BY DESCENDING UNDER INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BELOW THE MINIMUM ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A LANDING. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PILOT FATIGUE AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

AT 0144 THE PLT WAS ISSUED AN APPROACH CLEARANCE TO THE DUBLIN AIRPORT & CLEARED TO MAINTAIN 3,000 FT MSL OR ABOVE UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH. AT 0148 THE CLEARANCE WAS AMENDED TO A CRUISE CLEARANCE OF 3,000 FT OR ABOVE (THE AIRPORT DOES NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH). THE PILOT THEN REPORTED HE WAS STILL IN THE CLOUDS AT 2,100 FT MSL (605 FT AGL). WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS HEARD DESCENDING AT 'MAXIMUM POWER' WHEN IT STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE PILOT OPERATED A 24-HOUR 7-DAYS-A-WEEK VETERINARIAN CLINIC IN SPRING, TEXAS, AND HAD WORKED A CONSECUTIVE 3 DAY SHIFT FROM 0800 TO 2400 BEFORE DEPARTING THE CLINIC FOR THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39883](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39883-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 73-31056, built 1973 (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: 73-31056
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Teague, James Edward
- Registered owner: Teague, James Edward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DWH, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEP, 12 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 19921109045709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921109045709A), Nov 9, 1992: Blanca 1731ATC, Dublin, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a pole and burned descending at night IFR to locate airport. No approach facility. Pole off side of runway.

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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