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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 28, 1994 · Bellanca 14-13-2 · N86781

Midlothian, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 28, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Midlothian, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 14-13-2
Tail Number
N86781
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA033

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC/PRIVATE PILOT) AND STUDENT PILOT WERE ON AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 18 WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH APPROXIMATELY 1-1/4 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, THEY NOTICED THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW. POWER WAS APPLIED TO INITIATE A CLIMB; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TOP CABLE OF A POWER LINE, THEN 'STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING TIP (LOW) ATTITUDE.' BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS PERFORMED ON THE PIC AND STUDENT PILOT DETECTED POSITIVE LEVELS OF CANNABINOIDS IN THE URINE. THE FAA REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON WAS CONSULTED REGARDING DRUG RELATED IMPAIRMENT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION. BOTH PILOTS' MEDICAL CERTIFICATES WERE EXPIRED. THE PIC DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES, WHILE ALLOWING THE STUDENT PILOT TO BE ON THE CONTROLS. DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On October 27, 1994, at 1945 central daylight time, a Bellanca 14-13-2, N86781, was substantially damaged during landing near Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot in command and the student pilot sustained serious injuries. There was no flight plan filed and dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. In the pilot/operator report, the pilot in command stated that "about 1 1/4 miles from the end of the runway...an observation was made that we were low, power was applied for climb and at that moment we felt engagement with the top cable of the power lines." "The aircraft then rolled to the left and struck the ground in a nose down, left wing tip attitude and came to rest approximately 180 degrees from [the] original direction of travel." The student pilot corroborated the pilot in command's statement in his pilot operator report. Both pilots also stated that the student pilot was at the controls at the time of the accident. Toxicological tests performed on both the pilot in command and the student pilot detected positive levels of cannabinoids in the urine. The FAA regional flight surgeon was consulted regarding the drug related impairment. He was unable to make a determination. Both pilots' medical certificates were expired and the pilot in command did not have a current biennial flight review.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest AirportMidlothian/Waxahachie (1nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 14-13-2
Tail NumberN86781
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data