# NTSB FTW00LA176: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N39827, Del Rio, TX, June 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2000, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Del Rio, TX - Coordinates: 29.370515, -100.889114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3705&lon=-100.8891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49388/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA176 ## Probable cause The separation of the #3 connecting rod, piston, and cylinder. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause) - engine assembly,piston - separation (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 feet, when the pilot noticed the manifold pressure drop from 37 inches to 19 inches of mercury. The airplane was descending through 5,000 feet when the #3 cylinder and engine cowling separated from the airplane. The pilot initiated a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted mesquite trees. The #3 cylinder, piston, and connecting rod were found missing from the engine and were not recovered. Some small metallic debris remained in the oil sump. The original engine maintenance records were lost, and the total time on the engine was estimated to be 1,238 hours on October 1, 1983. On November 6, 1989, after a propeller strike, the engine underwent a top overhaul and crankshaft run-out inspection at an estimated engine total time of 1,615.6 hours. The last 100-hour inspection was conducted on March 28, 2000, at an estimated engine total time of 1,830.55 hours. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2000, at 1455 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC airplane, N39827, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Del Rio, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Stinson Municipal Airport near San Antonio, Texas, at 1330, and was destined for Eloy, Arizona. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that the airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 feet and he was receiving flight following from the Del Rio Approach Control, when he noticed the manifold pressure drop from 37 inches to 19 inches of mercury. He also noticed the exhaust gas temperature gauge indicate a decrease in temperature. He informed approach control that he was having an engine problem and was given vectors to the Del Rio International Airport and instructions to descend to 4,000 feet. While descending through 5,000 feet, the #3 cylinder, along with the engine cowling, separated from the airplane. The pilot stated that he could not make it to the airport and elected to land the airplane on a highway. He noticed power lines near the highway during the approach and elected to land in a field, located east of the highway. The field was covered with mesquite trees. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted mesquite trees, and the landing gear collapsed. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the wooden wing spars were structurally damaged and the fuselage tubing was bent. The #3 cylinder, piston, and connecting rod were missing from the Textron Lycoming IO-540-KIE5 engine. Small metallic debris remained in the oil sump. Review of the engine maintenance records revealed that the original engine logbook was lost, and on October 1, 1983, it was estimated that the engine had accumulated 1,238 hours (at a tachometer time of 254.9). At that time, the engine underwent a 100-hour inspection and the propeller and turbocharger were replaced. On November 19, 1984, the #1 cylinder was removed and replaced at an engine total time of 1,312.10 hours. On November 6, 1989, after a propeller strike, a top overhaul and crankshaft run-out inspection were conducted on the engine at a total time of 1,615.6 hours. The last annual inspection recorded was on April 1, 1999, at a tachometer time of 835 hours, and the last 100-hour inspection on the engine was completed on March 28, 2000, at a tachometer time of 852.45 hours and an engine time of 1,830.55 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39827](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39827-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 73-31047, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-31ATC - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 73-31047 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIE5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: J. L. Turner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 2000 - Departed: SSF, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Destination: E60, ELOY, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,252 total, 19 in this make and model, 952 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DRT, 50 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 20000607009489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000607009489A), Jun 7, 2000: Blanca 1731ATC, Del Rio, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 7, 2000, at approximately 1451 hours, a Bellanca 1731ATC, N39827 owned and operated by[privacy data omitted]crashed 10 miles norhtwest of… 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.