# NTSB FTW95LA311: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N500BT, Hico, TX, July 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1995, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hico, TX
- Coordinates: 31.980798, -98.019706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9808&lon=-98.0197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA311

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE DELAYED GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED POWER 'RAPIDLY' TO GO AROUND AFTER A 'LONG' TOUCHDOWN ON THE 2,300 FOOT GRASS STRIP, THE ENGINE 'HESITATED'. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TO AVOID HITTING TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK A FENCE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED SIGNATURES INDICATING THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING DURING IMPACT.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 1995, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC, N500BT, collided with a fence during an aborted landing near Hico, Texas.  The airline transport rated pilot/operator and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane departed Conroe, Texas, at 0850 for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported his touchdown on the 2,300 foot grass strip "was long so I elected to go around," and "upon rapid application of power, engine hesitated."  During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated "the aircraft did not accelerate properly" and became airborne with the "stall warning horn going off."  The pilot further stated he then turned left to "avoid trees" at the end of the runway and, subsequently, the airplane impacted a fence.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and reported the outboard section of the left wing was severed, the right wing spar was cracked, and the fuselage was deformed.  All three propeller blades were bent toward the cambered side approximately 90 degrees and displayed chordwise scratching and gouging.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N500BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500BT-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 74-31104, built 1974 (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: 74-31104
- Airframe hours: 1154
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Sartor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1995, 21 hours before
- Departed: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Airport: NONE, Parks Ranch, runway 18, 2,300 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,837 total, 207 in this make and model, 9,411 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19950723019329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950723019329A), Jul 23, 1995: Blanca 1731ATC, Hico, TX, Substantial damage. Failed accelerate on departing short grass strip. Banked to avoid trees. Wing struck a fence. Warm humid day.

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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