# NTSB MKC89LA031: Bellanca 17-30, N198V, Martelle, IA, December 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1988, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Martelle, IA
- Coordinates: 42.019809, -91.350753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0198&lon=-91.3508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ANTICIPATING A FUEL SHORTAGE ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PLT REQUESTED THE NEAREST AIRPORT FROM APPROACH CONTROL. THE NEAREST APT WAS WITHIN FIVE MILES OF HIS DESTINATION APT SO CONTINUED ON COURSE. ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, AND HAVING SWITCHED TO HIS LAST FUEL TANK WHICH INDICATED LESS THAN 1/4 TANK, THE PRESSURE GAUGE FLICKERED INDICATING IMMINENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG ON A RURAL ROAD INSTEAD OF RISKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN UPCOMING POPULATED AREA. HE SELECTED A COUNTRY ROAD TO LAND ON WHILE HE STILL HAD POWER. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE ACFT STRUCK A ROAD SIGN CAUSING THE ACFT TO VEER INTO A DITCH. THE PLT SAID HIS FUEL COMPUTATIONS WERE BASED ON FUEL USED AND REMAINING. THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY BEFORE DEPARTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N198V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N198V), registered now, S/N 30214, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30214
- Airframe hours: 1569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pick, Alfred
- Registered owner: Pick, Alfred
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Destination: C17, MARION, IA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,102 total, 165 in this make and model, 1,102 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 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 19881207053099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881207053099A), Dec 7, 1988: Blanca 1730, Martelle, IA, Substantial damage. Low on fuel, elected to land on a road. A wing hit a road sign and spun the aircraft into a ditch.

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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