# NTSB BFO90IA039: Bellanca 17-30, N4802V, Davis, WV, April 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1990, 12:34 local (16:34 UTC)
- Place: Davis, WV
- Coordinates: 39.129226, -79.460845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1292&lon=-79.4608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90IA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90IA039

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS ON THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER.

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER CLIMBING TO 6500 FEET THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SOUND, STARTED TO SHAKE, AND LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING DURING WHICH THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE PROPELLER WAS DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE ANTI-REVERSING TABS WERE FOUND BENT FLUSH WITH THE CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4802V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4802V), registered now, S/N 30082, built 1967 (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: 30082
- Airframe hours: 1852
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Charles A. Teter
- Registered owner: Charles A Teter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1989, 35 hours before
- Departed: N68, CHAMBERSBURG, PA
- Destination: EKN, ELKINS, WV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 36 in this make and model, 232 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKN

## 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 19900427016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900427016629A), Apr 27, 1990: Blanca 1730, Davis, WV, Substantial damage. Rough engine and power loss. Force landed in a swamp. Broken connecting rod. Rod bearings were installed backwards.

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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