# NTSB ATL89LA055: Bellanca 17-30A, N14695, Athens, GA, December 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, GA
- Location: 33.9609° N, 83.3779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Athens, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9609&lon=-83.3779&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING DESCENT TOWARD HIS INTENDED DESTINATION, THE PILOT NOTED A FLOATING AMMETER NEEDLE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE NOTED HIS OIL PRESSURE WAS ZERO. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND HE SELECTED A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD FOR HIS FORCED LANDING. IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE APPROACH, A SEMI TRAILER OBSTRUCTED THE ROADWAY AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ROADWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF LACK OF LUBRICATION AND A SEPARATION OF A CONNECTING ROD. A FAN SHAPED OIL DEPOSIT WAS FOUND ON THE INSIDE OF THE BOTTOM ENGINE COWLING UNDER THE OIL COOLER. THE COOLER HAD BEEN INSTALLED 29 HOURS PREVIOUS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14695](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14695), registered now, S/N 74-30688, built 1974 (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: 74-30688
- Airframe hours: 1669
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morgan, Lawrence L.
- Registered owner: Morgan, Lawrence L(A Partners)
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1988, 72 hours before
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AHN, Athens-Ben Epps

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,584 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,468 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 9 nm away

## 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 19881212054019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881212054019A), Dec 12, 1988: Blanca 1730A, Athens, GA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine siezed. Collapsed gear on landing. Oil cooler loose lost oil. New gaskets 3 months prior.

## Other investigations on N14695 (2)

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 DEN93LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA006), Oct 18, 1992: Bellanca 17-30A (N14695), Grand Junction, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR UPPER DRAG STRUT BRACKET DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKING.
- [NTSB DEN82FTI17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTI17), Aug 24, 1982: Bellanca 17-30A (N14695), Browning, MT, substantial damage

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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