# NTSB LAX84LA357: Bellanca 14-13, N74431, Coalinga, CA, June 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1984, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 36.18964, -120.390815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1896&lon=-120.3908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA357

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS #2 BEHIND ANOTHER ACFT. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS SO INTENT ON THE ACFT AHEAD (TAXIING OFF THE RWY) THAT HE HAD DECIDED TO GO AROUND. HE THEN CHANGED HIS MIND & DECIDED TO LAND INSTEAD. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RWY. HE REPORTED THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT AN IRRIGATION PIPE & FAILED. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE ACFT BEGAN VEERING RIGHT & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ALSO FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74431), registered now, S/N 1544, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13-2) (registry code 1201004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1544
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: FRANKLIN UNKNOWN 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.J. Schulz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Destination: 308, COALINGA, CA
- Airport: Harris Ranch, runway 32, 2,800 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 249 in this make and model, 334 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840617024609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840617024609A), Jun 17, 1984: Blanca 14132, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Pilots indecision about landing caused aircraft to land short in plowed field.

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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