Bellanca 17-30 N4757V

Summary

On 12 September 2008 at about 03:44 local time, a Bellanca 17-30 registered N4757V, operated by Shannon Donna F, was involved in an accident near Clearwater, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 2008 at 03:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Clearwater, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl (PIE)

Coordinates

27.9100, -82.6875

Aircraft

Bellanca 17-30

Registration

N4757V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Shannon Donna F

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pensacola → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

MIA08LA195

2 people had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of a supplemental cockpit lighting during approach.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a night flight approximately 10 minutes before landing, the pilot turned on a flashlight in order to read the checklist items and check the gauges. The flashlight lens was white, and turning on a white light during a night flight is contrary to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 61-21A. Bright white light can cause illusions after the white light is turned on. Prior to landing the pilot was given the wind as being from 120 degrees at 10 knots with no gusts, and elected to land on runway 09 with no flaps extended. During the landing flare she reported the landing light circuit breaker tripped rendering the landing light inoperative. During the landing roll she reported seeing what she thought was an animal or bird on the runway and applied the airplane’s normal brakes. The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto grass and the landing gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the brakes or landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.