# NTSB FTW96LA082: Bellanca 17-30, N7356V, Durango, CO, December 30, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 1995, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.270286, -107.879379 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2703&lon=-107.8794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA082 ## Probable cause the failure of the nose wheel steering mechanism which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable on the ground. A factor was the rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,steering system - fractured (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear - overload ## Analysis During landing roll, when the nose wheel was lowered to the runway, the aircraft veered right and departed the side of the runway into rough terrain. During this excursion, the landing gear collapsed. Examination of the aircraft provided evidence of a failure of the left nose wheel steering rod. The fracture surface on the rod displayed evidence of overstress. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 1995, at 1315 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 17-30, N7356V, departed the side of the runway during landing at La Plata County Airport, Durango, Colorado. The CFI and student pilot were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this Title 14 CFR Part 91 local area instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the flight instructor, the owner/student was performing touch-and-go landings and the landing which preceded the accident was smooth and on center line. The flight instructor said that when the nose wheel was lowered to the runway, the aircraft immediately veered to the right. He said he got on the rudder with the student and had full left rudder applied without effect. As the aircraft departed the side of the runway the landing gear collapsed in the rough terrain and the aircraft slid to a stop. There was no fire. Examination of the aircraft provided evidence of a fractured left nose wheel steering rod. Examination of the rod provided evidence that the rod fractured at the adjustment nut. According to the attached metallurgist's report, the fracture surface exhibited features typical of an overstress separation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7356V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7356V), registered now, S/N 30192, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30 - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30192 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don Muchow - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1994, 1 hours before - Departed: DRO - Airport: DRO, La Plata County, runway 20, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 12,800 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DRO, 1 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 19951230042849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951230042849A), Dec 30, 1995: Blanca 1730, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. As nose wheel tuched down. 1730 veered off runway into rough area. Gear folded. Left nosewheel steering rod broke. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.