Accident Bellanca 17-30A N14774, Sunday 17 September 2000
ASN logo
 

Date:Sunday 17 September 2000
Time:12:26 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic BL17 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Bellanca 17-30A
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N14774
MSN: 74-30617
Total airframe hrs:2205 hours
Engine model:Continental IO-520-K
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Las Cruces, NM -   United States of America
Phase: Take off
Nature:Executive
Departure airport:(NONE)
Destination airport:El Paso, TX (KELP)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The ranch foreman told the pilot that the airstrip had not been 'bladed or rolled' in 3 years, and suggested he take off from a nearby road. The pilot walked along 4,000 feet of the road, and determined it was suitable for departure. A short field takeoff was attempted into a 5 to 7 knot headwind. As the airplane lifted off the road, the left wing struck a mesquite brush, spinning it around.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral clearance with terrain. Factors were the confined area used for takeoff, and the high vegetation alongside the road.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: DEN00LA174
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 5 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB DEN00LA174

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
03-May-2024 07:12 ASN Update Bot Added

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2025 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org