# NTSB ATL93LA145: Bellanca 17-30A, N104CB, Hilton Head Is, SC, August 21, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1993, 20:30 local (Aug 21, 1993, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head Is, SC
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA145

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED LOSING ENGINE POWER AT 1500 FEET AGL, APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES NORTH OF HILTON HEAD AIRPORT. UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN, AND BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE SAFELY RECOVERED. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PILOT REPORTED REFUELING THE AIRPLANE AT ITS LAST DEPARTURE POINT SHORTLY BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 20, 1993, at 2030 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 17- 30A, N104CB collided with the water approximately four miles north of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The private pilot and his passenger both received minor injuries while the aircraft was not recovered. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was in effect for the personal flight. The flight departed Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 1945. The pilot reported refueling the airplane at the last departure point.

The pilot stated that as he approached Hilton Head Island, the aircraft engine lost power and he was unable to maintain altitude. He declared an emergency, and ditched the aircraft in the water. He was rescued by personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, and his passenger swam to shore. The airplane was not recovered; therefore, the reason for the power loss was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104CB-1996-06-17), registration cancelled 1996-06-17, S/N 30443 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30443
- Airframe hours: 1337
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Panas, William R.
- Registered owner: Brokers Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993, 37 hours before
- Departed: 29J, ROCK HILL, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 175 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 49J, 4 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 19930820052379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930820052379A), Aug 20, 1993: Blanca 1730A, Hilton Head Is, SC, Destroyed. Lost power near destination. Ditched in ocean. Cause power loss remains unknown since aircraft sank.

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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