# NTSB FTW88LA054: Bellanca 17-30A, N8250R, Borger, TX, January 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1988, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Borger, TX
- Coordinates: 35.650543, -101.400543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6505&lon=-101.4005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - burned (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CABIN. THE PLT STARTED A TURN BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY. WHEN HE TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL MASTER SWITCH THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. HE IMPACTED A HEAVY CABLE DURING THE OFF-AIRPORT, FORCED LANDING. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN WELD AT THE REAR OF THE LEFT MUFFLER. HEAT FROM THE LEFT MUFFLER MELTED THE INSULATION ON THE 'P' LEADS TO THE MAGNETOS, GROUNDED THEM, AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8250R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8250R-1989-12-06), registration cancelled 1989-12-06, S/N 30474 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20474
- Airframe hours: 2068
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: J & W Operating Co.
- Registered owner: J & W Operating Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BGD
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Airport: BGD, Hutchinson County, runway 21, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,145 total, 1,717 in this make and model, 2,945 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19880125001389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880125001389A), Jan 25, 1988: Blanca 1730A, Borger, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed after departure. Struck wires on forced gear up landing. Muffler broke. Exhaust melted magneto wires.

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.