Bellanca 17-30 accident near Clearwater, Florida, September 12, 2008
On September 12, 2008 at about 3:44 am local time, a Bellanca 17-30, registered N4757V, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Clearwater, Florida (St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2008 · about 3:44 am local time
- Place
- Clearwater, Florida · St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30 · all 17-30s on the register
- Registration
- N4757V · no longer on the register · serial 30076
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear collapse 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
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,650 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 11, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,511 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 27, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PNS Pensacola FL at 1:00 am
- Destination: PIE FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09, 5,165 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 am from PIE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.