# NTSB LAX84LA485: Bellanca 17-30A, N14728, Bishop, CA, September 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1984, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499965, -118.309059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5000&lon=-118.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA485
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA485

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - identification of aircraft visually - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE BELLANCA SAID HE SAW A SAILPLANE IN FRONT OF HIM IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND PULLED UP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE BELLANCA STALLED AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PARTIALLY RECOVERED 500 FT BEFORE GROUND CONTACT, THE PLT SAID HE CUT THE ENGINE AND LANDED OFF THE ARPT IN 4 FT HIGH BRUSH WHERE IT LEFT A 62 FT GROUND SCAR. FROM WITNESS ACCOUNTS THE SAILPLANE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE BELLANCA ON BASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14728](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14728-2020-12-05), registration cancelled 2020-12-05, S/N 75-30741, built 1974 (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: 75-30741
- Airframe hours: 989
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Kelley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: 207, INDEPENDENCE, CA
- Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Airport: BIH, Bishop, runway 16, 5,601 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 880 total, 880 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIH

## 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 19840917049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840917049499A), Sep 17, 1984: Blanca 1730A, Bishop, CA, Substantial damage. Pulled up while turning base to avoid a glider that was on final. Airplaned entered accelerrated stall and crashed.

## Other investigations on N14728 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN17LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA242), Jun 25, 2017: Bellanca 17 30 (N14728), Grove, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An unporting of fuel in the right wing while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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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