# NTSB ATL85LA030: Bellanca 17-30A, N8794V, Ariton, AL, November 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1984, 17:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Ariton, AL
- Coordinates: 31.589488, -85.710594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5895&lon=-85.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA030

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACFT LOST PWR AND PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART ENGINE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. POWER WAS NOT REGAINED AND FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. PLT STATED AUX TANKS WERE FULL AND RT MAIN CONTAINED 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL. FUEL TANK SELECTED AT TIME OF POWER LOSS IS UNKNOWN. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8794V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8794V-2008-04-04), registration cancelled 2008-04-04, S/N 30320, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30320
- Airframe hours: 1045
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Seiler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841108061229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841108061229A), Nov 8, 1984: Blanca 1730A, Ariton, AL, Substantial damage. Ran fuel tank dry, engine quit, switched tanks but did not activate boost pump. Unable restart. Landed in field.

## Other investigations on N8794V (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 SEA08LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA068), Feb 2, 2008: Bellanca 17-30A (N8794V), Mukilteo, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power while on final approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was a power line.

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.

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