# NTSB GAA17CA031: Bellanca 17 30, N8790V, Burnet, TX, October 15, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2016, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Burnet, TX - Coordinates: 30.735277, -98.239997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7353&lon=-98.2400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94247/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94247 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue the unstabilized approach and his failure to extend the landing gear before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a high-performance, complex airplane reported that, during his fourth engine-out practice landing, the airplane was "high and fast." He further reported that he wanted to keep the training realistic and chose not to go around. The pilot continued the approach but reported that he "felt behind the airplane." The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, skidded off the runway to the left, and impacted a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a high performance complex airplane reported that during his fourth engine out practice landing, the airplane was "high and fast". He further reported that he wanted to keep the training realistic and elected not to go-around. The pilot continued the approach, but reported that he "felt behind the airplane." The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, skidded off the runway to the left, and impacted a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8790V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8790V-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 30329, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17 30 (A) - 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: 30329 - Year built: 1970 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eclipse Acquisitions LLC. - Registered owner: Eclipse Acquisitions LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RYW, LAGO VISTA, TX - Destination: BMQ, Burnet, TX - Airport: BMQ, Burnet Muni Kate Craddock Fiel, runway 19, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 9, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 839 total, 600 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KBMQ ## 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 20161015024679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161015024679A), Oct 15, 2016: Bellanca 17-30A, Burnet, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was practicing engine out landing simulation by pulling a landing gear relay fuse and on his last practice run, he stated he put the gear… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94247. 882 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449037&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.