# NTSB MIA88FA214: Bellanca 17-30A, N399AC, Clearwater, FL, July 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1988, 06:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9794° N, 82.7713° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clearwater, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9794&lon=-82.7713&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,screen - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel flow divider/distributor - water (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - corroded (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE ON TAKEOFF ROLL AND CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. AFTER LIFTOFF THE ENGINE FAILED AND HE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE. THE ENGINE FUEL CONTROL AND FUEL DIVIDER BLOCK WERE FOUND TO HAVE WATER, RUST AND SAND IN THEM. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TOLD TO HAVE THE FUEL CONTROL AND INJECTION SYSTEM REBUILT 6 DAYS EARLIER WHEN WATER AND SAND WERE FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS AND WAS FLUSHED OUT BY A MECHANIC. AT THAT TIME THE PILOT STATED THAT IF IT CAUSED HIM ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS HE WOULD HAVE THE WORK DONE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N399AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N399AC-1997-10-10), registration cancelled 1997-10-10, S/N 7330549 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73-30549
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brennan Assoc., Inc.
- Registered owner: Brennan Assoc. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1987
- Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL
- Destination: UNK, ATLANTA, GA
- Airport: Clearwater Executive, runway 33, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 13 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 19880705025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880705025629A), Jul 5, 1988: Blanca 1730A, Clearwater, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into house on climbout and burned. Engine heard to misfire. Rust, sand and water in fuel. Warned of same.

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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