Bellanca 17 30 accident near Fredericksburg, Virginia, June 8, 2016
On June 8, 2016 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 1974 Bellanca 17 30, registered N14753, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Fredericksburg, Virginia (Shannon airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind resulting in a runway excursion and substantial damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2016 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Fredericksburg, Virginia · Shannon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17 30 A, built 1974 · all 17 30s on the register
- Registration
- N14753 · no longer on the register · serial 74-30673
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during the landing roll in gusting wind, the airplane made a sharp turn to the right and exited the runway. He reported that after passing the ramp area, the aircraft made a sudden turn to the right, and "I was unable to get it turned before leaving the runway and losing braking on the grass." The airplane crossed through the grass safety area and the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the nose and left main landing gear attachment points. The wind reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 320 degrees true, at 12 knots with gusts to 24 knots, the airplane landed on runway 24. The crosswind component was calculated at18 knots at the time of the accident, and according to the manufacturer, the airplane has a demonstrated direct crosswind component of 20 knots during takeoffs and landings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 696 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 650 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 30, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,388.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-K1 (piston); 527 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LUK Cincinnati OH at 6:45 pm
- Destination: EZF Fredericksburg VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 24, 2,999 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 12 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from KEZF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.