# NTSB CEN17LA058: Bellanca 17 30A, N4204B, Blaine, MN, December 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2016, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Blaine, MN - Coordinates: 45.195556, -93.16278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1956&lon=-93.1628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 19, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 94518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94518/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94518 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA058 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a lack of crankshaft lubrication to the No. 4 connecting rod journal. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng liquid cooling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After dropping off two passengers on an extremely cold morning, the commercial pilot departed for the return flight home. During cruise flight at 2,500 ft mean sea level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot restarted the engine; shortly thereafter, the engine lost power a second time. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a road, during which the left wing was damaged. An engine teardown revealed significant heat distress to the crankshaft No. 4 connecting rod journal, as well as the Nos. 3 and 4 connecting rod bearings. The heat distress resulted in fracture of the Nos. 3 and 4 connecting rod caps and subsequent seizure of the engine. The Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6 connecting rod bearings exhibited overlay fatigue, dirt embedment and corrosion, consistent with inadequate oil lubrication. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks revealed a history of oil changes at inconsistent intervals, which included much longer intervals than those recommended by the manufacturer; however, the effect of the inconsistent maintenance could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 2016, about 1500 central standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane, N4204B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Blaine, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bel Vik LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed about 1420 from Range Regional Airport (HIB), Hibbing, Minnesota, and was destined for Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pilot stated the airplane was launched from a heated hangar at FCM. After landing at HIB, two passengers were deplaned. The airplane remained on the ground at HIB about 15 minutes, with no fuel added. During departure from HIB, the temperature was minus 6 degrees F. While in cruise flight at 2,500 ft msl, at an estimated temperature of minus 10 degrees F, the engine lost power. After the pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the fuel boost pump, engine power was restored. Due to uncertainty with fuel status, the pilot diverted towards Anoka County–Blaine Airport (ANE), Blaine, Minnesota. Approaching ANE, the engine began to knock and subsequently seized. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a road, during which the airplane's left wing impacted a sign. Examination of the engine at the accident site revealed the top portion of the right and left crankcases were broken, with crankcase material missing and damaged internal engine components visible, including a fractured connecting rod cap. The engine breather tube was frozen over, with no alternate breather hole present. The propeller shaft seal was partially protruded. The engine, which has a normal oil capacity of 12 quarts, contained about 5 quarts of oil. Most of the oil loss occurred through the holes in the crankcase, with some oil loss through propeller shaft seal. The engine was shipped to the Continental Motors facility at Mobile, Alabama. Examination revealed all rocker arms and shafts were undamaged and all valves were intact, with normal combustion signatures. The induction components, ignition components, and fuel pump were not damaged. The fuel pump was bench tested and performed within specifications. Internal engine damage did not allow for rotation of the crankshaft. Following split of the crankcase, the Nos. 3 and 4 cylinder skirts were found to be mechanically damaged by internal components, with the Nos. 3 and 4 pistons wedged in their respective cylinders. Both crankcase halves were internally damaged by rotating components. The Nos. 3 and 4 connecting rods were damaged, with their respective rod caps separated. The remaining four connecting rods were not damaged. The Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6 connecting rod bearings exhibited overlay fatigue, dirt embedment and corrosion. The No. 3 and 4 connecting rod bearings displayed significant heat distress and severe damage. The crankshaft's No. 4 connecting-rod journal was severelydamaged due to heat distress. The oil galleys and transfer tubes were examined with additional lighting, which revealed that no blockages were present. Each of the five main bearings were intact, with an insignificant amount of contamination. The transfer collar exhibited normal operation patterns. The oil cooler was not damaged and the oil system vernitherm (thermostat) was removed and tested, with normal results. The oil pressure relief valve had evidence of an unapproved sealant on the oil pressure relief valve body. The engine was equipped with a reusable oil screen, versus a spin-on full flow oil filter. The reusable oil screen contained ferrous and non-ferrous metal contaminants. The recommended oil change interval for an engine with a reusable oil screen was every 25 hours or 4 months, according to Continental Motors Standard Practices Publications. A review of logbooks prior to 2011 revealed a history of erratic oil changes, including intervals of 45, 48, 66, 80, and 84 hours. The airplane was involved in a hard landing in 2011 and was not flown for about 5 years. After purchase by the current owner, an annual was performed on February 1, 2016, and an oil change occurred on August 8, 2016. Phillips 20-50WC oil, which has a pour point of minus 27 F, was utilized for both the annual and subsequent oil change. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4204B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4204B), registered now, S/N 75-30753, 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: 75-30753 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 2955 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2016, 51 hours before - Departed: HIB, HIBBING, MN - Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,742 total, 60 in this make and model, 3,547 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: -2 °F, dew point -17 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: KANE, 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 20161218022509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161218022509A), Dec 18, 2016: Bellanca 17-30A, Blaine, MN, Substantial damage. Part 91 flt from hib to fcm. Pilot experienced engine knocking and oil smell in cockpit and loss of oil pressure. Reduced power to idle and attempted divert to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94518. 18.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Exam Statement (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Exam%20Statement-Master.PDF - Continental Motors Exam Report (item 3, .PDF, 15.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Exam%20Report-Master.PDF - Oil Specifications (item 4, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Oil%20Specifications-Master.PDF 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.