# NTSB FTW98LA280: Bellanca 17-30A, N4038B, Shreveport, LA, June 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1998, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Shreveport, LA - Coordinates: 32.50996, -93.749122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5100&lon=-93.7491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA280 ## Probable cause The collapsed nose gear as a result of failure of the nose gear locking mechanism. ## 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,gear locking mechanism - failure,total (cause) - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a 'normal approach' to runway 23 at the Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), the aircraft pulled 'sharply' to the right during the landing roll. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck a taxi sign and taxi light and came to rest in the upright position. The pilot/owner reported that the right wing spar was damaged, and the nose gear 'collapsed in reverse direction.' A local maintenance facility inspected the aircraft and found that the down spring loaded rod assembly had failed, allowing the nose gear to collapse. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1998, at 1715 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane, N4038B, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Shreveport, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 1400 central daylight time. The pilot reported that after a "normal approach" to runway 23 at the Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), the aircraft pulled "sharply" to the right during the landing roll. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck a taxi sign and taxi light and came to rest in the upright position. The pilot/owner reported that the right wing spar was damaged, and the nose gear "collapsed in reverse direction". He stated that personnel from a local maintenance facility inspected the aircraft after the accident. They reported that the down spring loaded rod assembly had failed, which allowed the nose gear to collapse. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4038B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4038B), registered now, S/N 76-30822, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 76-30822 - Airframe hours: 1512 - Engines: Continental IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Oran P. Gray - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 24 hours before - Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN - Destination: SHV - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SHV, Shreveport Regional, runway 23, 6,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19980618014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980618014399A), Jun 18, 1998: Blanca 1730A, Shreveport, LA, Substantial damage. Acft ran off the rwy and ground looped after landing, Shreveport, LA. (.4)the pilot reported that after a 'normal approach' to runway 23 at the Shreveport… 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.