Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
NTSB analysis
The initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake appeared to operate unevenly with the right brake. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA143 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 6, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bakersfield, California
- Nearest airport
- Bakersfield Meadows (BFL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 17-31ATC
- N-number
- N4134B
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.