# NTSB DEN84LA238: Bellanca 8GCBC, N88176, Selz, ND, July 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1984, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Selz, ND
- Location: 47.8594° N, 99.8934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Selz, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8594&lon=-99.8934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA238

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A NARROW DIRT ROAD. AFTER STOPPING THE PLT EGRESSED AND RAN. HE SAID THAT ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE FUEL TANKS BLEW. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE FIRE WAS IN THE ALTERNATOR. IT APPEARED TO TORCH AND IGNITE FUEL LINES. THE PLT DID NOT MENTION CUTTING OFF THE FUEL OR IGNITION AT ANY TIME DURING THE EMERGENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88176 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 87-74
- Airframe hours: 1180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Jacob Hoffner
- Registered owner: Jacob Hoffner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1984, 94 hours before
- Departed: SELZ, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 627 total, 124 in this make and model, 596 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVL

## 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 19840725037209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840725037209A), Jul 25, 1984: Bbavia 8GCBC, Selz, ND, Destroyed. Pilot detected smoke in flight. Emergency landing was made and aircraft burned. Alternator p/n ALY8403 was blamed.

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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