# NTSB IAD96LA087: Bellanca 17-30A, N14765, New Market, VA, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1996, 20:10 local (May 31, 1996, 00:10 UTC) - Place: New Market, VA - Coordinates: 38.639953, -78.669097 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6400&lon=-78.6691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA087 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power as a result of the failure of the left exhaust tailpipe and led to a shorted ignition system. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain in which the aircraft landed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - failure (cause) - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - melted (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot smelled electrical smoke in the cockpit shortly after takeoff and turned back the departure airport. Shortly after they turned back, the engine lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a field. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the left exhaust tailpipe had separated from the muffler and that the insulation around the electrical wire bundle which passed through the firewall was melted. The wire bundle supplied power to the cockpit instruments and ignition system which included the ground leads for the magnetos. The pilot stated that he believed that the hot exhaust melted the insulation from the electrical wire bundle, the ground leads to the magnetos shorted, resulting in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1996, at about 2010 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 300A, N14765, experienced smoke in the cockpit and a subsequent loss of engine power shortly after takeoff at the New Market Airport, in New Market, Virginia. The airplane descended into a field and impacted a fence, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot received minor injuries, and the one passenger (his wife) and the dog were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, no flight plan was filed. The pleasure flight departed with an intended destination of Hummel, Virginia, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff he and his wife smelled smoke in the cockpit. He stated that it smelled electrical. He reported that he attempted to return to the airport but shortly after turning around the engine lost power. He said he saw an open field and made a gear up landing, and collided with a fence. Examination of the aircraft found that the left exhaust tailpipe had separated from the muffler and that the insulation around the electrical wire bundle which passed through the firewall was melted. According to the pilot, the electrical wiring in the melted bundle supplied power to the cockpit instruments and ignition system, including the ground leads for the magnetos. The pilot stated that he believed that "...during taxi, run-up, and takeoff, escaping exhaust gases melted the insulation [on the electrical wire bundle]. One magneto failed during takeoff run resulting in partial loss of power, and the other failed shortly thereafter from shorting of the "P" leads." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14765](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14765-2012-06-21), registration cancelled 2012-06-21, S/N 74-30625, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 74-30625 - Airframe hours: 1706 - Engines: Continental IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George A. Roussel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1995 - Departed: 8W2 - Destination: W75, HUMMEL, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,333 total, 416 in this make and model, 1,326 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHO, 38 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 19960531012049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960531012049A), May 31, 1996: Blanca 1730A, New Market, VA, Destroyed. Pilot smelled smoke in cabin after takeoff, due to electrical fire, tried to return, crashed into a field. 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.