Bellanca 17-31A accident near Hot Springs, AR
On July 10, 1995, a Bellanca 17-31A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, AR. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 10, 1995
- Place
- Hot Springs, AR
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-31A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.450°N, 93.100°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03927
Official records · FTW95FA277
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 10, 1995, at 0046 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31A, N39875, was destroyed while maneuvering near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his three passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated by the owner/operator, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal night cross country flight and no flight plan was filed. A lineman at the airport in Destin, Florida, the airplane's initial departure point, reported that the airplane was topped off with fuel before departure. Three passengers and the pilot boarded, and the airplane departed at approximately 1755 for their flight to Hot Springs. The lineman added that approximately 5 minutes after departing Destin, the airplane returned to the airport. The pilot complained of "low manifold pressure." He stated that he had experienced a loss of engine power and a "drop of 6 to 7 inches of manifold pressure" during takeoff. The pilot asked to borrow a few hand tools to remove the engine cowlings. The lineman further stated that he observed the pilot inspecting and working on the engine for approximately one hour. After reinstalling the cowlings, the pilot "did several run-ups and high speed taxis down the runway followed by one flight around the pattern while his passengers waited at the terminal." The passengers reboarded the airplane and departed Destin, at 1944 en route to the Johnson County Executive Airport near Olathe, Kansas. The lineman overheard one of several pilots watching the departing aircraft comment
Probable cause
THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. FACTORS WERE THE NIGHT CONDITION AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.
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Browse: Arkansas · Bellanca aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
