# NTSB LAX98LA132: Bellanca BL17-30A, N125SU, Prescott, AZ, April 6, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1998, 11:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619747, -112.419715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6197&lon=-112.4197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain directional control after swerving off the runway and impacting a ditch.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch

## Analysis

The aircraft veered left after landing and encountered a drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway surface.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 1998, at 1134 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca BL17-30A, N125SU, was substantially damaged when it veered to the left off of runway 21L at Love Field, Prescott, Arizona, and encountered a drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway surface.  There were minor injuries to the solo private pilot and no property damage.  The flight departed from Lordsburg, New Mexico, on a visual, personal flight and no flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated in his accident report that he felt that the actual surface wind conditions at the landing runway were not the same as those reported by the ATIS, and that the accident would not have occurred had the drainage ditch been covered.  However, the airport is a tower controlled field and the current runway wind conditions are broadcast to any pilot requesting landing.  Also, an investigation of the airport terrain indicated that the drainage ditch is approximately 6 feet deep and 24 feet wide with a side slope of 14 degrees, and is located 600 feet from the centerline of the runway that it parallels.  He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125SU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N125SU-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 76-30838, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca BL17-30A
- 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: 76-30838
- Engines: Continental IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen D. Uslan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1997, 120 hours before
- Departed: LSB, LORDSBURG, NM
- Destination: PRC
- Airport: PRC, Earnest A. Love Field, runway 21L, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,097 total, 300 in this make and model, 8,040 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 1 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 19980406005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980406005899A), Apr 6, 1998: Blanca 1730A, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on landing roll. (.19) on April 6, 1998, at 1134 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca BL17-30A, N125SU, was substantially damaged when it…

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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