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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 23, 1995 · Bellanca 17-31ATC · N500BT

Hico, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hico, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-31ATC
Tail Number
N500BT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA311

WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED POWER 'RAPIDLY' TO GO AROUND AFTER A 'LONG' TOUCHDOWN ON THE 2,300 FOOT GRASS STRIP, THE ENGINE 'HESITATED'. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TO AVOID HITTING TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK A FENCE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED SIGNATURES INDICATING THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING DURING IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE DELAYED GO-AROUND.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 1995, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC, N500BT, collided with a fence during an aborted landing near Hico, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot/operator and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed Conroe, Texas, at 0850 for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported his touchdown on the 2,300 foot grass strip "was long so I elected to go around," and "upon rapid application of power, engine hesitated." During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated "the aircraft did not accelerate properly" and became airborne with the "stall warning horn going off." The pilot further stated he then turned left to "avoid trees" at the end of the runway and, subsequently, the airplane impacted a fence. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and reported the outboard section of the left wing was severed, the right wing spar was cracked, and the fuselage was deformed. All three propeller blades were bent toward the cambered side approximately 90 degrees and displayed chordwise scratching and gouging.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest AirportParks Ranch (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-31ATC
Tail NumberN500BT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data