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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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October 13, 1984 · Bellanca 73CA · N53860

Porterville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Porterville, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 73CA
Tail Number
N53860
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA015

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER AN INFLT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING BOTH THE LANDING FLARE & SUBSEQUENT GO AROUND ATTEMPT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS APPROACHING TOUCHDOWN IN A THREE POINT ATTITUDE WHEN 'A GUST OF WIND SUDDENLY PUSHED (THE ACFT) TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY.' THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT 'IT CRABBED ON ME AND THEN STARTED OUT ACROSS THE FIELD.' ADDING POWER TO INITIATE A GO AROUND, THE PLT SAID THAT 'EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING FINE UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED RADICALLY.' THE PLT WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT & COLLIDED WITH A CHAIN LINK FENCE & AN ACFT FACTORY BUILDING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER AN INFLT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING BOTH THE LANDING FLARE & SUBSEQUENT GO AROUND ATTEMPT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS APPROACHING TOUCHDOWN IN A THREE POINT ATTITUDE WHEN 'A GUST OF WIND SUDDENLY PUSHED (THE ACFT) TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY.' THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT 'IT CRABBED ON ME AND THEN STARTED OUT ACROSS THE FIELD.' ADDING POWER TO INITIATE A GO AROUND, THE PLT SAID THAT 'EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING FINE UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED RADICALLY.' THE PLT WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT & COLLIDED WITH A CHAIN LINK FENCE & AN ACFT FACTORY BUILDING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:58 PDT
Nearest AirportPorterville Muni (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 73CA
Tail NumberN53860
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data