# NTSB MKC88LA001: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N8786V, Wamego, KS, October 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1987, 22:30 local (Oct 6, 1987, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Wamego, KS
- Coordinates: 39.199909, -96.300216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1999&lon=-96.3002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT LDG THE PLT ALIGNED THE ACFT WITH THE WHITE TOPS OF A FENCE THAT WAS PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY. NOT ALL OF THE RWY LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. BOTH WINGS AND THE LOWER FUSELAGE WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LNDG ON THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8786V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8786V-1991-01-31), registration cancelled 1991-01-31, S/N 31013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31013
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Warren Hildreth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1987
- Departed: GBD, GREAT BEND, KS
- Destination: 69K, WAMEGO, KS
- Airport: 69K, Wamego, runway 35, 2,950 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHK, 20 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 19871005058789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871005058789A), Oct 5, 1987: Blanca 1731ATC, Wamego, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot lined up with a white fence by mistake on a night landing. Landed on the parallel fence. Poor runway lighting

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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