Bellanca 14-13-2 accident near Midlothian, Texas, October 28, 1994
On October 28, 1994, a Bellanca 14-13-2, registered N86781, was substantially damaged in an accident near Midlothian, Texas (Midlothian/Waxahachie airport). It was a personal 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-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES, WHILE ALLOWING THE STUDENT PILOT TO BE ON THE CONTROLS. DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 28, 1994
- Place
- Midlothian, Texas · Midlothian/Waxahachie · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 14-13-2 · all 14-13-2s on the register
- Registration
- N86781 · no longer on the register · serial 1142
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC/PRIVATE PILOT) AND STUDENT PILOT WERE ON AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 18 WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH APPROXIMATELY 1-1/4 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, THEY NOTICED THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW. POWER WAS APPLIED TO INITIATE A CLIMB; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TOP CABLE OF A POWER LINE, THEN 'STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING TIP (LOW) ATTITUDE.' BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS PERFORMED ON THE PIC AND STUDENT PILOT DETECTED POSITIVE LEVELS OF CANNABINOIDS IN THE URINE. THE FAA REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON WAS CONSULTED REGARDING DRUG RELATED IMPAIRMENT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION. BOTH PILOTS' MEDICAL CERTIFICATES WERE EXPIRED. THE PIC DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.
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
- Flight time: 1,700 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,402 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 17, 1994; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F67 Grand Prairie TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.