# NTSB FTW01LA009: Bellanca BL17-30, N4882V, Waller, TX, October 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2000, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Waller, TX - Location: 30.0697° N, 95.9277° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waller, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0697&lon=-95.9277&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA009 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power during climb to cruise due to the failure of the crankshaft counterweight. A contributing 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(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - eng assembly,crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During climb to cruise, approximately 1,100 feet agl, the pilot heard a 'loud sound' from the engine, followed by a 'hard vibration.' The pilot turned toward the airport and then the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field near the airport. The airplane struck a tree and impacted terrain. A teardown examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at the lead bushing hole in the number 2 cheek counterweight housing. The crankshaft 'bump' surface at the fractured leading end exhibited polishing from the counterweight hitting the surface. The polishing could only occur if the rear pin had escaped and the counterweight stood up, hitting the camshaft and crankcase as it trailed through the engine. The counterweight housing had fractured due to overload. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2000, at 1830 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL17-30 single-engine airplane, N4882V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Waller, Texas. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot and passenger. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Skydive Airport near Houston, Texas at 1825. According to a telephone interview with the pilot conducted by an NTSB investigator and the pilot's statement, after takeoff, approximately 1,100 feet agl, a "loud sound came from the engine, followed by a hard vibration." With the engine still running, the pilot "turned toward the airport and then the engine quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field near the airport. The left main gear struck a tree, pulling the aircraft to the left. The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright. According to maintenance records, on October 22, 1999, the Continental IO-520-D engine, serial number 158848-8-D, had a top overhaul completed at 2,317.4 hours aircraft total time. All cylinders, rods, rod bolts, rod nuts, and rod bearings were removed and replaced. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had 2,359.04 hours total time, and the engine had 702.87 hours total time since major overhaul and 41.64 hours total time since top overhaul. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the connecting rod on the #2 cylinder was broken. The wings, landing gear, and engine firewall were structurally damaged. On February 9, 2001, NTSB representatives, an FAA inspector, and a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) representative witnessed an engine teardown that was conducted at Air Salvage of Dallas, near Lancaster, Texas. The teardown examination revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at the lead bushing hole in the number 2 cheek counterweight housing, and the corresponding counterweight was missing. A portion of the crankshaft, two counterweight pins, bushings, one plate, and remnants of two snap rings were retained for further metallurgical examination. The crankshaft and counterweight components were examined at the TCM facility on March 21, 2001, under NTSB supervision. According to TCM, "the crankshaft 'bump' surface at the fractured leading end exhibited polishing from the counterweight hitting the surface. The polishing could only occur if the rear pin had escaped and the counterweight stood up, hitting the camshaft and crankcase as it trailed through [the] engine." The crankshaft counterweight housing had fractured due to overload. The counterweight pins were measured and were found to be within TCM specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4882V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4882V-2009-04-29), registration cancelled 2009-04-29, S/N 30124 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL17-30 - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30124 - Airframe hours: 2359 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dempsey Gearen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1999, 42 hours before - Departed: 3X57 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 101 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 2 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 169 °F ## 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 20001012019069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001012019069A), Oct 12, 2000: Blanca 1730, Waller, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 10-12-2000, at approx. 1830 CDT, a bellance, model 17-30, N4882V, was substantially damaged after takeoff, after a loss of engine power. The pilot and… ## Other investigations on N4882V (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 CHI72FEK01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEK01), Jul 2, 1971: Bellanca 17-30 (N4882V), Bridgeport, OH, substantial damage 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.