# NTSB LAX87FA200: Bellanca 17-30A, N93495, Flagstaff, AZ, November 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 18:46 local (Nov 3, 1986, 01:46 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230323, -111.71907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2303&lon=-111.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA200

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - atc clearance - not obtained, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS WIFE DESIRED TO RETURN TO THEIR FLAGSTAFF, AZ, HOME FOLLOWING A WEEKEND AT STOCKTON, CA., & THEY DEPARTED SCK IN VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WEATHER AT THE DESTINATION ARPT HAD BEEN BELOW VFR MINIMUMS ALL MORNING & IT WAS FORECAST TO REMAIN POOR THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. THE PLT DID NOT REQUEST A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, & HE DID NOT REQUEST WEATHER FROM ANY FACILITY WHILE ENROUTE. AFTER FLYING FOR ABOUT 3.5 HRS & APPROACHING FLG, IFR WEATHER WAS ENCOUNTERED. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS AN HR PAST SUNSET & THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. THE FLG CONTROLLER REPORTED HE NEVER SAW THE ACFT & HE NEVER ISSUED THE PLT A CLEARANCE TO ENTER THE CONTROL ZONE. THE PLT COLLIDED WITH TREES & TERRAIN 4 MI WEST OF FLG WHILE DESCENDING AT A 60 DEG ANGLE IN A 40 DEG BANK. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT ENG. DUE TO THE ACFT DAMAGE, THE FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93495](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93495-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 73-30604, built 1973 (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: 73-30604
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Cummings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1985
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam

## 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.; seat: left; flight hours: 602 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 4 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 19861102082239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102082239A), Nov 2, 1986: Blanca 1730A, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot tried to follow I40 into rising terrain at night in near zero IMC. Lost control and impacted the ground.

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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