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March 24, 2015 · Bellanca 17 31A · N93715

Siler City, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Siler City, NC
Aircraft
Bellanca 17 31A (1973)
Tail Number
N93715
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ERA15CA169

During a ferry flight, while turning from downwind leg to base leg of the airport traffic pattern, the pilot became distracted when the cabin door popped open. The pilot continued on the approach and prior to touchdown, advanced the propeller rpm, set the mixture to full rich, and put the flaps down. As he reduced the throttle he heard a horn and thought it was the stall warning horn, but afterwards believed it probably was the gear warning horn, as they sounded somewhat similar. He did not think anything about it as he normally hears the stall horn at touchdown. He stated that he felt like the approach was a little faster than normal and he reduced the power to help to try to slow down. At touchdown he realized that he had not selected gear down. The airplane landed on its belly and when it came to a stop, there was smoke in the cockpit. Then when the pilot exited the cabin and stepped out on the wing to exit the airplane, he noticed flames on the aft side of the right wing. The airplane was subsequently destroyed by a postcrash fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to ensure that the airplane's landing gear was down and locked prior to touchdown.

Full Narrative

During a ferry flight, while turning from downwind leg to base leg of the airport traffic pattern, the pilot became distracted when the cabin door popped open. The pilot continued on the approach and prior to touchdown, advanced the propeller rpm, set the mixture to full rich, and put the flaps down. As he reduced the throttle he heard a horn and thought it was the stall warning horn, but afterwards believed it probably was the gear warning horn, as they sounded somewhat similar. He did not think anything about it as he normally hears the stall horn at touchdown. He stated that he felt like the approach was a little faster than normal and he reduced the power to help to try to slow down. At touchdown he realized that he had not selected gear down. The airplane landed on its belly and when it came to a stop, there was smoke in the cockpit. Then when the pilot exited the cabin and stepped out on the wing to exit the airplane, he noticed flames on the aft side of the right wing. The airplane was subsequently destroyed by a postcrash fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportSiler City Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17 31A
Tail NumberN93715
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TI0-540-K1ES · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data