# NTSB MIA02LA147: Bellanca 17-31A, N39835, Gainesboro, TN, August 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2002, 11:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Gainesboro, TN - Coordinates: 36.39722, -85.641387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3972&lon=-85.6414&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 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55445/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55445 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA147 ## Probable cause a total loss of engine power due to the failure of the main bearing, a loss of oil pressure and the seizure of a connecting rod, resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequent 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, cruise - engine assembly,bearing - failure (cause) - lubricating system - no pressure - engine assembly,connecting rod - seized - engine assembly,cylinder - separation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - fence - object - fence post ## Analysis At an altitude of 3,500 feet, the airplane's engine began vibrating. The pilot said he was unable to maintain altitude and at about 1,800 feet the engine stopped operating. On approach to an open field the landing gear impacted a barbwire fence, collapsed, and the right wing hit a post, causing the airplane to veer to the right before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the number 3 cylinder was pushed away from the case. The cylinder studs were stripped as though the nuts had been force off without rotating. An engine teardown revealed that a main bearing on the crankshaft journal had spun; causing a reduction in forced oil lubrication, and seized the connecting rod, which forced the cylinder away for the case. The cause of the spun main bearing, which forced the cylinder displacement, was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2002, about 1108 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31A, N39835, operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, struck a fence during a forced landing near Gainesboro, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight had originated from the Jackson County Airport, near Gainesboro, Tennessee, about 1040, en route to Somerset, Kentucky. The pilot stated that he was cruising at about 3,500 feet when the airplane's engine began vibrating. He said he looked at the engine instruments but found no abnormal indications. He further stated that he attempted to return to the Jackson County Airport, but was unable to maintain altitude and at about 1,800 feet the engine stopped operating. He said he approached an open field, and was about to land when the landing gear impacted a barbwire fence and collapsed. The right wing then hit a post and the airplane veered to the right before coming to rest. The accident site was about ten miles west north west of the airport. According to the FAA inspector's statement, examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane was lying on its belly with the landing gear torn loose. The fuel caps were removed, the fuel tanks all showed "fuel was available," and the fuel appeared blue. The fuel selector was checked and it indicated that fuel was being drawn from the left wing. The primary fuel valve was found "on main." The engine cowling was removed and number 3 cylinder was pushed away from the case. The cylinder studs were stripped as though the nuts had been "force off without rotating." Oil had blown through the cowling area. The oil filter and oil filler cap was in place and no other catastrophic damage noted. The propeller was slightly bent aft on two blades. Atlanta Air Salvage. Inc., Griffin, Georgia, conducted an engine teardown, which revealed that a main bearing on the crankshaft journal had spun; causing a reduction in forced oil lubrication, and seized the connecting rod, which forced the cylinder away for the case. The cause of the spun main bearing, which forced the cylinder displacement, was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39835](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39835-2005-03-29), registration cancelled 2005-03-29, S/N 73-32-96, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-31A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31a) (registry code 1220435) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 73-32-96 - Airframe hours: 2029 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert C. Perry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2002, 79 hours before - Departed: 1A7, Gainesboro, TN - Destination: SME, Somerset, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 20, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 139 total, 48 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: SME, 52 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 20020810023559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020810023559A), Aug 10, 2002: Blanca 1731A, Gainesboro, TN, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 10, 2002, about 1108 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31A, N39835, operated by a private individual as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55445. 999 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Supplement S (item 2, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (Part 2) (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20(Part%202)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Arrow points to #3 cylinder (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Arrow%20points%20to%20%233%20cylinder%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Same as #1 different angle (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Same%20as%20%231%20different%20angle%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Close up view of cylinder #3 (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182690&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20cylinder%20%233%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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. --- 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.