# NTSB NYC83FA254: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N28077, Provincetown, MA, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 00:00 local (04:00 UTC)
- Place: Provincetown, MA
- Location: 42.0597° N, 70.1705° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Provincetown, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0597&lon=-70.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA254

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN CAPE COD BAY DURING A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT. TWO SECTIONS OF WOODEN WING IDENTIFIED AS FROM THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS THE MISSING ACFT WERE RECOVERED FROM THE BAY DURING THE 3 DAYS FOLLOWING THE FLT OF THE ACFT. OTHER IDENTIFIED PARTS OF THE ACFT WERE RECOVERED DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS BUT THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE WRECKAGE AND ITS 3 OCCUPANTS HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND THE ACFT WAS ON THE RETURN LEG OF A TRIP FROM BOSTON TO PROVINCETOWN THAT STARTED ON THE MORNING OF SEPT 11TH. THE PLT AND HIS BRIDE HAD BEEN IN BOSTON FOR 4 DAYS ON A HONEYMOON TRIP. THE ACFT DID NOT RETURN TO BOSTON AND THE COUPLES ROOM WAS NOT DISTRUBED AFTER THEY DEPARTED ON SEPT 11TH. THE ACFT MADE NO KNOWN RADIO CALLS ON THE RETURN FLT. THE COAST GUARD SEARCHED FOR TWO DAYS AFTER THE FIRST MISSING PARTS WERE FOUND ON SEPT 12TH AND AGAIN ON OCT 4TH WHEN MORE WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28077](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28077-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 78-31147, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78-31147
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J & S Kleen Car Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Airport: PVC, Provincetown Mun

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 408 total, 30 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HYA, 25 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 19830911049189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911049189A), Sep 11, 1983: Blanca 1731ATC, Provincetown, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed during nighttime hours. Became missing. Portions of wreckage found in nearby bay.

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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