# NTSB ATL86FA223: Bellanca 17-30, N6655V, West Green, GA, August 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1986, 13:42 local (17:42 UTC)
- Place: West Green, GA
- Coordinates: 31.599296, -82.729637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5993&lon=-82.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA223

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - overload
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF AT 1259 EDT, & AT 1318, HE REPORTED LEVEL AT 10,000'. THERE WAS NO FURTHER COMM WITH THE ACFT. AT ABOUT 1342, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FND SCATTERED OVER A 425 YD AREA, ALONG A SW AZMITH, APRX 1/2 MI FROM WHERE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE ENG, EMPENNAGE & L WING WERE SEPD FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE WHICH CONTAINED THE FUSELAGE & RGT WING. THE L WING WAS FND ABOUT 425' NE OF THE FUSELAGE & THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS WERE FND NEAR THE L WING WITH EVIDENCE OF DOWNWARD FAILURE. PERSONNEL IN THE AREA RPRTD A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM (TSTM) AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACDNT. RADAR DATA INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF A LVL 4 OR STRONGER TSTM IN THE VICINITY. A SIGMET HAD BEEN ISSUED AT 1255 & WARNED OF TSTMS WITH TOPS ABOVE 45,000'. THE PLT DID NOT UPDATE HIS WX INFO WHILE EN ROUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6655V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6655V-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 30011, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30011
- Airframe hours: 1619
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 253 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Renewed Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: SSI, BRUNSWICK, GA
- Destination: 4A7, HAMPTON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 410 total, 104 in this make and model, 366 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860821040959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860821040959A), Aug 21, 1986: Blanca 1730, West Green, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The left wing separated while the aircraft was flying in a thunderstorm. ATC did not advise the pilot of the cell.

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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