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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

May 24, 1996 · Bellanca 17-30A · N23MB

Fallbrook, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fallbrook, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N23MB
Operator
Frank B Harriman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA211

The pilot and his passenger were returning from a cross-country flight and landed on runway 18. A brief rain and hail squall reached the airport at the time of their arrival. The pilot landed long, and the aircraft touched down on the nosewheel first, then bounced three times. The aircraft departed the left side of the 2,160-foot-long runway. The pilot did not get a preflight weather briefing nor file a flight plan. He stated that a television station reported clear weather and unlimited visibility, but possible clouds by late evening near the coast. The wind was from the southwest at 10 to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive airspeed on final approach, and the short and wet condition of the runway.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 1996, at 1140 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N23MB, skidded off of the wet runway after landing at the Fallbrook Airport, Fallbrook, California. The aircraft received substantial damage and the pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Prescott, Arizona, at 0915 on the day of the accident. According to the pilot's written report, he landed roughly 1/3 the distance down the length of runway 18, which is 2,160 feet long. Shortly after touchdown, there followed a heavy burst of rain and hail which flooded the runway. When he attempted to exit the runway to the right, the brake locked up, causing the aircraft to hydroplane to the left. Subsequently, the aircraft slid off of the runway and into an area of dirt and bushes. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the FAA inspectors witness interviews, the aircraft approach speed was higher than normal and the aircraft initially landed on the nose gear. After bouncing three times, the pilot attempted to brake and the aircraft hydroplaned. The pilot did not get a weather briefing prior to the flight. He stated that the television station reported weather was clear and visibility unlimited, with possible clouds late evening near the coast. The winds were reported to be from the southwest at 10 to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 PDT
Nearest AirportFallbrook Comm Airpark (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2165 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN23MB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrank B Harriman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K1B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 73 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 10 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data