# NTSB CEN22LA256: Bellanca 17-30A, N39880, Madison, MS, June 16, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2022, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Madison, MS - Coordinates: 32.438667, -90.103111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4387&lon=-90.1031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 2008-05-11](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-05-11) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 105284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105284/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105284 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA256 ## Probable cause The failure of a muffler weld due to inadequate maintenance, which resulted in a fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine exhaust](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md) - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot noticed smoke in the cockpit while on departure. He returned to land and when the smoke worsened during taxi, he stopped the airplane and shut down the engine. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and observed a fire in the engine compartment. They were not able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. Postaccident examination revealed the right-side exhaust system was fractured between the muffler and tailpipe. The investigation determined that a crack in the weld joining the aft ball tube to the aft muffler flange had previously failed, and a weld repair had been performed. Metallurgical examination determined that the repair weld had failed, allowing hot exhaust gases to escape onto the surrounding engine compartment components. Maintenance records show the Airworthiness Directive (AD) calling for the repair weld to be inspected was complied with during the last annual inspection, just under a month and about 10 flight hours before the accident. The mechanic that completed the inspection was not aware of the AD requirement to spray the outside of the muffler with a penetrating oil to check for cracks, which most likely would have identified the muffler weld issue prior to the failure. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2022, about 0915 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N39880, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Bruce Campbell Field Airport (MBO), Madison, Mississippi. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. After departing from MBO, the pilot noticed smoke in the cabin and returned to land. While taxiing, the smoke worsened, and the pilot stopped the airplane and shut down the engine. The pilot and passenger egressed and observed a fire on the right side of the engine compartment. The passenger used a fire extinguisher but was not able to stop the fire. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. Postaccident examination revealed the right-side exhaust system was fractured between the muffler and tailpipe. The muffler and tailpipe assemblies were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, which determined that the aft ball tube (part of the muffler assembly) had separated from the muffler body and remained attached to the tailpipe. The outer surface of the ball tube exhibited rubbing in the regions where it lapped the tailpipe clamping assembly and the muffler. The forward end of the ball tube was found to have cut back material in one region and raised up material in another region, with both regions exhibiting rubbing features. The features on the ball tube were consistent with failure of a repair weld. Areas of the ball tube had a gray and/or red appearance, which was consistent of an oxide film that formed from repeated exposure to hot exhaust gases. In 2007, Alexandria Aircraft, the holder of the Bellanca 17-30A type certificate, issued a service letter, B-110, regarding inspection of the 17-30A exhaust system (which also applied to other Bellanca models). Subsequently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an AD 2008-05-11, which made the service letter a mandatory requirement. The service letter requires the inspection of the weld joints of the muffler for cracks. The first inspection is within 25 hours, with recurring inspections every 50 hours. If/when a crack is found, the owner has three options for remediation: 1) Replace the muffler and tailpipe assemblies with new, redesigned parts. 2) Send the muffler and tailpipe assemblies to Bellanca/AALLC FAA Repair Station BNXR512X for reconditioning, which results in a functionally similar part as the new, redesigned parts. 3) “Recondition or repair the defective left and/or right muffler and tailpipe assembly(ies) to their original configuration using FAA approved methods and materials. See FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1: Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices – Aircraft Inspection and Repair.” A maintenance record of the weld repair was not available to the investigation. Maintenance records show that AD-2008-05-11 was complied with at thelast annual inspection dated May 20, 2022, at an aircraft total time of 2543.5 hours. According to the owner, the accident occurred about 10 flight hours following the annual inspection. The mechanic who performed the last annual inspection stated that he hadn’t noticed anything that “stuck out” with the exhaust system. He was familiar with the accident and remarked that it was very difficult to view the location where the fracture occurred. He reported he didn’t used a borescope to assist viewing internal welds and was not familiar with the service letter requirement to spray the outside of the muffler with a penetrating oil to assist with identifying cracks. The Alexandria Aircraft Service Letter B-110 inspection includes the following procedure: Spray the outside of the muffler at the riser and ball joint attachment welds with a penetrating oil. If there is a crack around the riser or the ball joint the penetrating oil will quickly move thru crack and a wet spot will appear inside the muffler. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39880](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39880), registered now, S/N 73-30551, built 1973 (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: 73-30551 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 2543 - Engines: Continental IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2022, 10 hours before - Departed: MBO, Madison, MS - Destination: MBO, Madison, MS - Airport: MBO, Bruce Campbell Field Airport, runway 35, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9,855 total, 40 in this make and model, 165 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KJAN, 7 nm away - METAR: KJAN 161354Z 05004KT 10SM FEW120 30/23 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP198 T03000233 ## 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 20220616010469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220616010469A), Jun 16, 2022: Bellanca 17-30A, Madison, MS, Destroyed. 6-16-2022; Part 91 flight: reported smoke in the cabin just after departure. Pilot executed a quick return to the opposite runway; an uneventful landing.… ## Other investigations on N39880 (1) 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 NYC73FGM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FGM29), Apr 24, 1973: Bellanca 17-30A (N39880), Freidens, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105284. 52.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16321158&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos of accident airplane (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16320773&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf - Interview with mechanic (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16455159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20with%20Mechanic-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logs - excerpt (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 43.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16340929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mx%20logs%20--%20CEN22LA256....Redacted-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory factual report 22-095 (item 5, PDF, 16 pages, 17 photos, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15397346&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2022-095-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory attachment 1 - alexandria aircraft service letter B110 (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15397071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Alexandria%20Aircraft%20SL-B110-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory attachment 2 - FAA AD 2008-05-11 (item 7, PDF, 7 pages, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15397434&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AD%202008%E2%80%9305%E2%80%9311-Rel.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.