# NTSB LAX98LA058: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5058L, Truckee, CA, December 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 20, 1997, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.330303, -120.240325 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3303&lon=-120.2403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30012 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30012/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA058 ## Probable cause internal mechanical failure of the engine due to a progressive failure of the No. 3 connecting rod assembly. A contributing factor was the snow pack which covered the only accessible emergency landing area. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - sheared (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a snow covered field due to a total loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. During a teardown inspection of the engine, it was noted that the number 3 connecting rod assembly had undergone a progressive failure. ## Factual narrative On December 20, 1997, at 1015 hours Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N5058L, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing on a snow covered field 3 statute miles northeast of Truckee, California. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The pilot stated that the engine started to run rough during the climb and then stopped suddenly with the propeller in a horizontal position. Several restart attempts were unsuccessful. The flight departed the Truckee-Tahoe Airport on a personal flight to Smith Ranch, Marinwood, California, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who investigated the accident site stated that he observed a considerable amount of engine oil on the underside of the engine, the belly of the aircraft, and the engine compartment firewall. He also stated that after righting the aircraft it was noted that the engine could not be rotated in either direction due to an apparent internal mechanical restriction. A teardown inspection of the engine was performed at the owner's maintenance base. The FAA inspectors who witnessed the inspection reported that the number 3 rod assembly had experienced a progressive failure. (See attached FAA Report of Engine Inspection.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5058L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5058L), registered now, S/N 558-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 558-79 - Airframe hours: 4306 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-HIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. Nickel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1997, 58 hours before - Departed: TRK, CA - Destination: CA35, MARINWOOD, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 601 total, 107 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 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: 19 °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 19971220045269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971220045269A), Dec 20, 1997: Bbavia 8KCAB, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a snow covered field due to a total loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. During… 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.