# NTSB MIA87FA205: Bellanca 17-30A, N93664, Palatka, FL, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1987, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Palatka, FL
- Location: 29.6501° N, 81.6719° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palatka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6501&lon=-81.6719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb
  - exhaust system,stack - loss,total (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ACFT'S ENG SOUNDING ROUGH JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO THE TREES. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES & SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PLANE. A TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND ON THE RAMP AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PARKED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING & EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT DAMAGE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA BEHIND WHERE THE LEFT TAILPIPE HAD BEEN LOCATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93664](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93664-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 74-30667, built 1974 (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: 7430667
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dean Van Eaton
- Registered owner: Dean Van Eaton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1986
- Departed: 28J, PALATKA, FL
- Destination: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 35 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 19870713079519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870713079519A), Jul 13, 1987: Blanca 1730A, Palatka, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine compartment on fire. Left tail pipe assembly missing. Tried to return. Struck trees and ground. Exploded.

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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