Bellanca 17-31ATC accident near Denton, Texas, July 12, 1990
On July 12, 1990, a Bellanca 17-31ATC, registered N39870, was substantially damaged in an accident near Denton, Texas (Denton Muni airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT FAILURES TO PROPERLY IN STALL A OIL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER THE OIL SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 1990
- Place
- Denton, Texas · Denton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-31ATC · all 17-31ATCs on the register
- Registration
- N39870 · no longer on the register · serial 73-31049
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPLANE WAS DEPARTING THE AIRPORT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A TOTAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED AND A FORCED LANDING RESULTED. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A UTILITY POLE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN. THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A OIL LINE BY THE PILOT DURING AN OIL CHANGE THAT HE PERFORMED. THE ENGINE OIL WAS EXHAUSTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHEN IT WAS PRESSURIZED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,643 hours in all; 761 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 2,643 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,847 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 8, 1990; 76 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DTO
- Destination: SHV Shreveport LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.