# NTSB IAD98LA017: Bellanca 17-30A, N28122, Steubenville, OH, December 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 1997, 19:30 local (Dec 18, 1997, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Steubenville, OH - Coordinates: 40.350818, -80.69902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3508&lon=-80.6990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28270/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA017 ## Probable cause Collision with deer on runway during initial takeoff and climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - animal(s) (cause) - light condition - night - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The private pilot and the certificated flight instructor (CFI) taxied to the runway, where the private pilot applied power and started the take off roll. The pilots reported feeling a jolt just after rotation, and the airplane veered to the right. The CFI immediately took control of the airplane and began to maneuver the airplane around obstructions. The CFI reported that the airplane responded sluggishly to his inputs, and it would not climb or accelerate. The CFI stated that he lowered the nose of the airplane to prevent a stall, and shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with trees. A deer carcass along with parts from the airplane's right wing were located less than a third of the way from the approach end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On December 17, 1997, approximately 1930 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N28122, was destroyed during a forced landing and collision with the terrain after striking a deer on takeoff from Jefferson County Airpark Airport, Steubenville, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor and private pilot received serious injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and certificated flight instructor (CFI) taxied to the runway, where the private pilot applied power and started the takeoff roll. The pilots reported that they felt a jolt just after rotation, and the airplane veered to the right. The CFI immediately took control of the airplane and began to maneuver the airplane around obstructions. The CFI reported that the airplane responded sluggishly to his inputs, and that it would not climb or accelerate. The CFI stated that he was concerned that the airplane would stall, so he lowered the nose, and shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with trees. A deer carcass along with parts from the airplane's right wing were found by local authorities less than a third of the way from the approach end of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28122](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28122-1998-10-14), registration cancelled 1998-10-14, S/N 7830893 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 78-30893 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: Continental IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nathan M. Michael - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997, 160 hours before - Departed: 2G2 - Airport: 2G2, Jefferson County Airpark, runway 14, 3,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 555 total, 33 in this make and model, 461 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HLG, 11 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 19971217043189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971217043189A), Dec 17, 1997: Blanca 1730A, Steubenville, OH, Destroyed. Struck deer during takeoff. Became airborne but would not respond to input struck trees damaged right wing. (.4)the private pilot and the certificated flight… 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.