# NTSB MIA83LA186: Bellanca 7ACA, N68556, Homestead, FL, July 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1983, 20:34 local (Jul 18, 1983, 00:34 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.490709, -80.510948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4907&lon=-80.5109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,survival equipment - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE 'TOPPED OFF' HIS FUEL TANK WITH 12 GAL OF FUEL AT HOMESTEAD, FL. HE THEN FLEW TO THE PORT LARGO ARPT AT KEY LARGO, FL AND TO THE MARATHON ARPT, MARATHON, FL, BUT DID NOT REPORT OBTAINING ADDITIONAL FUEL. WHILE EN ROUTE BACK TO HOMESTEAD, THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING A LANDING IN A CYPRESS SWAMP, THE LANDING GEAR SUNK IN DEEP MUD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER, AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE, EXCEPT THAT THE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER WAS BROKEN THRU 70% OF THE WIRES. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG. ALSO, THE ELT BATTERY WAS OVERDUE FOR A CHANGE & THE ELT DID NOT WORK. HOWEVER, THE DOWNED ACFT WAS SPOTTED BY ANOTHER PLT & AN AIR FORCE HELICOPTER WAS DISPATCHED TO EVACUATE THE PLT & PASSENGER. THE ENG WOULD CONSUME APRX 3.7 GAL/HR AT 75% POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68556](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68556-1992-12-18), registration cancelled 1992-12-18, S/N 6272 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ACA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 62-72
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: FRANKLIN 2A-120-A 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. Michael Drawdy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 4, 1983, 15 hours before
- Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL
- Destination: X 51, HOMESTEAD GNRL., FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 230 total, 17 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 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 19830717039669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830717039669A), Jul 17, 1983: Blanca 7ACA, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Starter inoperative. Flipped over in a swamp landing. Indicates aircrafts fuel was exhausted.

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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