# NTSB FTW94LA024: Bellanca BL17-31ATC, N9516E, Pagosa Springs, CO, November 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1993, 14:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 37.239688, -107.029182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2397&lon=-107.0292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA024

## Probable cause

FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE  RUNWAY AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. EXAMINATION  OF THE AIRCRAFT PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE OR STEERING  MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Factual narrative

On November 3, 1993, at 1446 mountain standard time, a Bellanca BL17-31ATC, N9516E, was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed after the airplane departed the side of the runway at Stevens Field, Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  The pilot and his passenger were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight which departed from Plainview, Texas, at 1246 central standard time.

According to the pilot, the left brake locked during the landing roll and the aircraft went off the left side of the runway.  The pilot said that during this excursion, the right main landing gear collapsed and the nose gear was distorted.  The airframe sustained damage around the right main gear mount.

Examination of the aircraft by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector provided no evidence of a brake system malfunction.  Examination of the runway provided witness marks of skidding of both main tires and scrubbing of the nose tire in a curve to the left.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9516E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9516E), registered now, S/N 76-31133, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA BL17-31ATC
- 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: 76-31133
- Airframe hours: 1709
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-KIES 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Weathers, Isaac B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: PVW, PLAINVIEW, TX
- Destination: 2V1
- Airport: 2V1, Stevens Field, runway 19, 9,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 471 total, 398 in this make and model, 423 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19931103042329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931103042329A), Nov 3, 1993: Blanca 1731ATC, Pagosa Springs, CO, Substantial damage. Departed left side off runway landing. Wind calm.

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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