# NTSB LAX83LA291: Bellanca 17-31A, N8838V, Ducor, CA, June 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1983, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Ducor, CA
- Coordinates: 35.860919, -118.990425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8609&lon=-118.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA291

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL AT 1900 FEET MSL WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC MISSION. THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS STRUCK IS 2412 FEET MSL. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED IN THE CRASH AND GROUND FIRE FOLLOWING IMPACT. ACCORDING TO HIS SECRETARY HE WAS ON A PHOTOGRAPHING MISSION OF THE BOWEN RANCH AND HILLS ON THE RANCH. THE ACFT COLLIDED IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD LEFT WING DOWN POSITION. THE WEATHER WAS VMC WITH 50 MILES VISIBILITY AND NO WIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8838V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8838V-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 30371, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31A
- 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: 30371
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry Dean Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1983, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,765 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830618025509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830618025509A), Jun 18, 1983: Blanca 1730A, Ducor, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into 2412 foot mountain at the 1900 foot level. Pilot was on photographic mission.

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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