Bellanca 17-30A accident near Jay, OK
On December 17, 2006, a Bellanca 17-30A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Jay, OK. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 17, 2006
- Place
- Jay, OK
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.503°N, 94.904°W
- NTSB ID
- 20061220X01821
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 16, 2006, about 1803 central standard time, a single-engine Bellanca 17-30A airplane, N39858, was substantially damaged during a forced night landing to Grand Lake O' The Cherokees following a loss of engine power near Jay, Oklahoma. The non-certificated pilot sustained minor injuries and the three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Mid-America Industrial Airport (H71) near Pryor, Oklahoma, approximately 1715. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), the pilot reported that he was taking his workers for a "joy ride around the lake" when the airplane's engine stopped producing power. The pilot stated that before the airplane touched down in the water, he asked a passenger to open the door to facilitate their exit once the airplane was in the water. The airplane impacted the water with the landing gear extended and the airplane nosed-over during the night water landing. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted and swam to the shore while the three passengers remained in the airplane and subsequently drowned. The pilot reported to the OHP that he did not hold a pilot certificate and that he had not logged a flight in the past five months. The pilot further reported drinking two margaritas around 1400 or 1500. A witness located near the lake reported observing the airplane flying in a southerly direct
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's improper decision to extend the landing gear for the water landing. Contributing factors were the prevailing night conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
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Browse: Oklahoma · 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.
