# NTSB LAX85LA176: Bellanca 14-19, N8870R, Paso Robles, CA, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 17:00 local (Mar 16, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Paso Robles, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609672, -120.759262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6097&lon=-120.7593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - ignition system - improper (cause)
  - ignition system - engaged
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT PULLED THE PROP THROUGH BY HAND AFTER ATTEMPTS TO START THE ACFT FAILED. THE UNOCCUPIED ACFT STARTED AND TRAVELED APRX 200 FT BEFORE CONTACTING THE LEFT WING OF ANOTHER ACFT. INSPECTION REVEALED THE 'P' LEAD ON THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS NOT GROUNDED. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR APRX 3 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8870R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8870R-2006-05-05), registration cancelled 2006-05-05, S/N 4232, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4232
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry A. Linthicum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: PRB
- Airport: Paso Robles

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 713 total, 713 in this make and model, 621 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850315011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315011099A), Mar 15, 1985: Blanca 14193A, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. With ignition switch off, turned prop. Engine started, taxied into parked aircraft. Mag ground wire p lead broken.

## Other investigations on N8870R (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 DEN05LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA117), Jul 30, 2005: Bellanca 14-19-3 (N8870R), Grand Junction, CO, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper fuel selector position. Factors contributing to the accident were the inadvertent stall, the ravine, and the steep drop off…

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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