# NTSB LAX96LA211: Bellanca 17-30A, N23MB, Fallbrook, CA, May 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1996, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Fallbrook, CA - Coordinates: 33.389354, -117.210494 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3894&lon=-117.2105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29453 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29453/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA211 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive airspeed on final approach, and the short and wet condition of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot and his passenger were returning from a cross-country flight and landed on runway 18. A brief rain and hail squall reached the airport at the time of their arrival. The pilot landed long, and the aircraft touched down on the nosewheel first, then bounced three times. The aircraft departed the left side of the 2,160-foot-long runway. The pilot did not get a preflight weather briefing nor file a flight plan. He stated that a television station reported clear weather and unlimited visibility, but possible clouds by late evening near the coast. The wind was from the southwest at 10 to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1996, at 1140 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N23MB, skidded off of the wet runway after landing at the Fallbrook Airport, Fallbrook, California. The aircraft received substantial damage and the pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Prescott, Arizona, at 0915 on the day of the accident. According to the pilot's written report, he landed roughly 1/3 the distance down the length of runway 18, which is 2,160 feet long. Shortly after touchdown, there followed a heavy burst of rain and hail which flooded the runway. When he attempted to exit the runway to the right, the brake locked up, causing the aircraft to hydroplane to the left. Subsequently, the aircraft slid off of the runway and into an area of dirt and bushes. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the FAA inspectors witness interviews, the aircraft approach speed was higher than normal and the aircraft initially landed on the nose gear. After bouncing three times, the pilot attempted to brake and the aircraft hydroplaned. The pilot did not get a weather briefing prior to the flight. He stated that the television station reported weather was clear and visibility unlimited, with possible clouds late evening near the coast. The winds were reported to be from the southwest at 10 to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23MB-2004-04-02), registration cancelled 2004-04-02, S/N 74-30719, 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: 74-30719 - Airframe hours: 1702 - Engines: Continental IO-520-K1B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Frank B. Harriman - Registered owner: Milton E. Black - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 47 hours before - Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ - Destination: L18, CA - Airport: L18, Fallbrook Comm Airpark, runway 18, 2,165 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,798 total, 82 in this make and model, 1,798 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 10 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19960524019989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960524019989A), May 24, 1996: Blanca 1730A, Fallbrook, CA, Substantial damage. Slid off wet runway due to hydro planeing trying to turn off after landing. ## Other investigations on N23MB (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 LAX02WA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02WA195), Jun 1, 2002: Bellanca 17-30A (N23MB), Puertecitos, Mexico, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.