# NTSB WPR09CA143: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N4134B, Bakersfield, CA, March 6, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2009, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.433612, -119.056945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4336&lon=-119.0569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73447/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-31ATC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220437), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake appeared to operate unevenly with the right brake. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative The initial touchdown and landing roll was uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake grabbed. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxi way sign, and sustained substantial damage. The impact turned the airplane into the grass median. The pilot then taxied uneventfully to parking. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4134B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4134B), registered now, S/N 74-31102, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 74-31102 - Airframe hours: 3908 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David N Crowe - Registered owner: David N Crowe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 2008, 4 hours before - Departed: Pauma Valley, CA - Destination: BFL, Bakersfield, CA - Airport: BFL, Bakersfield Meadows, runway 30R, 10,857 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 294 in this make and model, 308 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBFL ## 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 20090306003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090306003939A), Mar 6, 2009: Blanca 1731ATC, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft, while landing at bfl, touched down at the threshold, then made an uncontrolled swerve to the left. The aircraft exited the 150' wide runway,… 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.