Bellanca 17-31 N9755E
14 October 1991 · Big Spring, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 14 October 1991 at about 23:15 local time, a Bellanca 17-31 registered N9755E, operated by Thomas C. Miller, was involved in an accident near Big Spring, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Big Spring, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Mc Mahon Wrinkle (21XS)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-31
- Registration
- N9755E
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Thomas C. Miller
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Midland
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- FTW92LA008
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FAILED PISTON ROD. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING A DUSK DEPARTURE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS LESS THAN THREE HUNDRED FEET AND TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR LANDING WAS UNSUITABLE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO THE ONLY CLEARING AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE WING STUCK A TREE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bellanca 17 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Feb 1991 | Bellanca 17-30A | Coalinga, California, United States | George R. Hunt | No injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1991 | Bellanca 17-31 ATC | Gt. Barrington, Massachusetts, United States | Barrett Scoville | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Jan 1991 | Bellanca 17-30A | Olton, Texas, United States | John C. Bozeman | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Aug 1991 | Bellanca 17-30A | Boyne City, Michigan, United States | Trapline Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 28 Oct 1991 | Bellanca 17-30A | Cotulla, Texas, United States | Maze, ROY H. | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Jun 1991 | Bellanca 17-30 | Fort Ord, California, United States | Flame Aero Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft BE-19 | Mesquite, Texas, United States | ARI BEN Aviator | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | McDonnell Douglas MD-80 | Dfw Airport, Texas, United States | American Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Wylie, Texas, United States | Heli TEX Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Cessna 150A | Jewett, Texas, United States | Jack R. Horan | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1991 | Beechcraft K35 | Laredo, Texas, United States | DAN R. Blaker | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Cessna 172F | Cumby, Texas, United States | Charles D. Wood | No injuries | - |