# NTSB ATL98LA070: Bellanca BL-17-30A, N6645V, Brewton, AL, May 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1998, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Brewton, AL - Coordinates: 31.110746, -87.070259 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1107&lon=-87.0703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3988/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA070 ## Probable cause Improper maintenance procedures used to overhaul the engine, which led to the crankshaft failure. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the fence. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure (cause) - maintenance,top overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot experienced a lost of engine power and he made a forced landing in an a field There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft was substantially damaged after colliding with a fence during the landing roll. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 3 main bearing had spun, the crankshaft was broken at the number 3 cheek, and the crankcase exhibited fretting at the case mating surfaces, consistent with improper through-bolt torque. The engine had undergone a top overhaul 197.4 hours prior to the failure of the crankshaft. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1998, about 1230 central standard time a Bellanca BL17-30A, N6645V, collided with a fence during an emergency landing near Gainesville, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Jonesboro, Arkansas, about 1000 central standard time, with an intended destination of Destin, Florida. According to the pilot, during cruise flight the propeller "quit pulling as if it was disengaged". Repeated attempts to reengage the prop failed. The pilot had contacted Eglin approach on 125.6 a few minutes earlier to obtain clearance through Eglin's airspace. While on that frequency the pilot declared an emergency, and gave the controller his approximate position. He then made a forced landing in a nearby field, and collided with a wire fence. On May 15, 1998, an engine teardown was conducted at the Bay Minette Airport by Clark Aviation Inc. The teardown was witnessed by the FAA, the airplane owner, and Clark Aviation personnel. The engine oil pan was removed and metal fragments were found. The rod bolts were found loose as evidenced by shifting, and galling of the rod bearings, except for one which was found torqued to 400 ft. lbs., factory manuals recommend 300 ft. lbs. of torque for rod bolts. Additionally, the crankcase had fretting at the mating surfaces. The crankshaft was found broken at the number 3 cheek, and the number 3 main bearing had spun. The engine's recommended overhaul time was 1700 hours, a top overhaul was accomplished at 1359.7 hours on 08/16/93, and the engine had accumulated 1557.1 hours at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6645V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6645V), registered now, S/N 30309, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL-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: 30309 - Airframe hours: 1500 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John S. Abernathy - Registered owner: John S. / Michele J Abernathy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1997, 40 hours before - Departed: 3A0, GROVE HILL, AL - Destination: DTS, DESTIN, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 402 total, 95 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CEW, 40 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 19980501014959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980501014959A), May 1, 1998: Blanca 1730A, Brewton, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power unable prop speed control. Hit fence landing. Left wing sheared. Crankshaft broke. Improper toh torque. (.4) on may 1, 1998, at 1230 CST a Bellanca… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.