# NTSB FTW95LA033: Bellanca 14-13-2, N86781, Midlothian, TX, October 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1994, 19:45 local (Oct 28, 1994, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Midlothian, TX
- Coordinates: 32.490093, -96.989112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4901&lon=-96.9891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES, WHILE ALLOWING THE STUDENT PILOT TO BE ON THE CONTROLS. DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC/PRIVATE PILOT) AND STUDENT PILOT WERE ON AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 18 WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH APPROXIMATELY 1-1/4 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, THEY NOTICED THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW. POWER WAS APPLIED TO INITIATE A CLIMB; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TOP CABLE OF A POWER LINE, THEN 'STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING TIP (LOW) ATTITUDE.'  BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS PERFORMED ON THE PIC AND STUDENT PILOT DETECTED POSITIVE LEVELS OF CANNABINOIDS IN THE URINE. THE FAA REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON WAS CONSULTED REGARDING DRUG RELATED IMPAIRMENT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION. BOTH PILOTS' MEDICAL CERTIFICATES WERE EXPIRED. THE PIC DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.

## Factual narrative

On October 27, 1994, at 1945 central daylight time, a Bellanca 14-13-2, N86781, was substantially damaged during landing near Midlothian, Texas.  The private pilot in command and the student pilot sustained serious injuries.  There was no flight plan filed and dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

In the pilot/operator report, the pilot in command stated that "about 1 1/4 miles from the end of the runway...an observation was made that we were low, power was applied for climb and at that moment we felt engagement with the top cable of the power lines."  "The aircraft then rolled to the left and struck the ground in a nose down, left wing tip attitude and came to rest approximately 180 degrees from [the] original direction of travel."

The student pilot corroborated the pilot in command's statement in his pilot operator report.  Both pilots also stated that the student pilot was at the controls at the time of the accident.

Toxicological tests performed on both the pilot in command and the student pilot detected positive levels of cannabinoids in the urine.  The FAA regional flight surgeon was consulted regarding the drug related impairment.  He was unable to make a determination.  Both pilots' medical certificates were expired and the pilot in command did not have a current biennial flight review.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86781](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86781-1997-04-21), registration cancelled 1997-04-21, S/N 1142 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13-2
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13-2) (registry code 1201004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1142
- Airframe hours: 1402
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Same As Registered Owner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1994, 5 hours before
- Departed: F67, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
- Airport: 4T6, Midlothian/Waxahachie, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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