# NTSB FTW94LA049: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5065G, Westcliffe, CO, December 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1993, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Westcliffe, CO
- Coordinates: 38.129222, -105.460662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1292&lon=-105.4607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18977/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=18977
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA049

## Probable cause

WAS FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD BEARING. A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A 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
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

AFTER BEING AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT.  THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ON TOUCH DOWN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE NUMBER TWO CORRECTING ROD BEARING FAILED AND THE ROD EXITED THROUGH THE ENGINE CASE.

## Factual narrative

On December 17, 1993, at 1235 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N5065G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 10 miles south of Westcliffe, Colorado.  The pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Custer County Airport with an intended destination of Fremont County Airport.  No flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he had been airborne approximately 2 minutes and began getting smoke in the cockpit.  The pilot said that the engine "stopped" and he was forced to land in mountainous terrain.  During the landing, the left wing struck the ground first and the aircraft nosed over.

The engine was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who found that the number two connecting rod bearing had failed and the rod had exited through the engine case.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5065G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5065G-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 597-80 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 597-80
- Airframe hours: 2792
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burdick, Frank E.
- Registered owner: Devon, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1993, 3 hours before
- Destination: 1V6, FREMONT COUNTY, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,585 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,585 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19931217046959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931217046959A), Dec 17, 1993: Bbavia 8KCAB, Westcliffe, CO, Substantial damage. Smoke in cockpit on climbout. Engine siezed. Nosed over rough terrain. NR2 connecting rod bearing went thru case.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 1995, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=18977. 481 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 481 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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