# Accident 20161218022509A: Bellanca 17-30A, Blaine, MN, December 18, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 2016, 15:20 local time
- Place: Blaine, MN
- Airport: Anoka
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.1956° N, 93.1628° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1956&lon=-93.1628&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4204B, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4204B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 17-30A (registry code 1220433, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,508 total, 28 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN17LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA058) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161218022509A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PART 91 FLT FROM HIB TO FCM. PILOT EXPERIENCED ENGINE KNOCKING AND OIL SMELL IN COCKPIT AND LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. REDUCED POWER TO IDLE AND ATTEMPTED DIVERT TO ANE. PILOT REALIZED HE WAS SHORT OF RUNWAY 18 SO APPLIED THROTTLE THEN ENGINE SEIZED. DUE TO HIGH RATE OF DESCENT, PILOT LANDED ON HIGHWAY 14 (MAIN STREET) EASTBOUND.

AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ROAD SIGN POSTS SHEARING OFF 2-3' SECTION OF LEFT WING AND DAMAGING LEFT WING ROOT NEAR FUSELAGE. NO INJURIES TO SOLE OCCUPANT.

SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED ENGINE FAILURE AS EVIDENCED BY CRANKCASE OUTWARD BREAKAGE ON TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. INTERNAL ENGINE DEBRIS DEPOSITED BETWEEN AFT LEFT CYLINDERS.

ENGINE OIL BREATHER LINE WAS FOUND ICE PLUGGED AND FORWARD ENG SEAL PUSHED PARTIALLY OUT. 5 QTS OIL REMAINING.

AMENDMENT CREATED 1-12-2017 DUE TO ENGINE SCHEDULED FOR TEARDOWN ANALYSIS 3-26-2017.

ENGINE MANUFACTURER TEARDOWN INSPECTION REPORT ISSUED JUNE 8, 2017. REPORT SUMMARY: THE ENGINE SUFFERED AN OIL STARVATION EVENT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN17LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA058), Dec 18, 2016: Bellanca 17 30A (N4204B), Blaine, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to a lack of crankshaft lubrication to the No. 4 connecting rod journal.

## Other reports on N4204B (4)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20110618018799I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110618018799I), Jun 18, 2011: Bellanca 17-30A (N4204B), Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. On 6-18-2011 @ 0840 PDT, N4204B, s/n 75-30753 sustained damage to all (3) landing gear. The damage occured during the landing rollout at Tucson airport on…
- [Incident 19890525029489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890525029489I), May 25, 1989: Blanca 1730A (N4204B), Scottsbluff, NE, Minor damage. Lost directional control on rollout. Veered off runway striking a runway light. Left gear damaged.
- [Incident 19790211006889I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790211006889I), Feb 11, 1979: Blanca 1730A (N4204B), Arbuckle, CA, Minor damage. Encountered weather with low fuel brakes frozen and overran runway end. Plane out of annual. No registration.
- [Incident 19780519034199I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780519034199I), May 19, 1978: Blanca 1730A (N4204B), Oakland, CA, Minor damage. Aircraft bounced twice on landing collapsing right main gear.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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