# NTSB ATL85LA227: Bellanca 17-30A, N6707V, Camden, SC, July 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1985, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Camden, SC
- Coordinates: 34.259521, -80.609375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2595&lon=-80.6094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 76-23-03 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-23-03-R1) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,total (cause)
  - exhaust system - leak (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - burned (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE ACFT WAS FLYING OVER WOODED TERRAIN, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT SAW A PLOWED FIELD APRX 3 MI AWAY & BEGAN AN EMERG APCH TO THE FIELD. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES ON FINAL APCH, BUT CONTINUED FLYING UNTIL THE PLT MADE A GEAR UP LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD FAILED AT A WELD WHERE A BALL JOINT WAS CONNECTED. THIS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER THE ENG COMPARTMENT, BURN THE MAGNETO WIRES & RENDER THE MAGNETOS INOPERATIVE. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE, AD 76-23-03, WHICH REQUIRED AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYS EACH 100 HRS, HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH ON 10/7/83, BUT HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 12/7/84. THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED 68 HRS OF FLT TIME SINCE COMPLIANCE WITH AD 76-23-03.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6707V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30311
- Airframe hours: 1295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Risher Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CDN, CAMDEN, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 278 total, 168 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850730035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850730035289A), Jul 30, 1985: Blanca 1730A, Camden, SC, Substantial damage. Tail pipe separated from muffler at weld joint. Hot gasses burned magneto wires. Hit tree tops landing in a field.

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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