# NTSB NYC84FA016: Bellanca 17-31 ATC, N6586V, Littleton, MA, October 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1983, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Littleton, MA
- Location: 42.5376° N, 71.5120° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Littleton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5376&lon=-71.5120&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - wing,spar - deteriorated (cause)
  - wing,spar - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE RIGHT WING SEPARATE IN FLIGHT, THE ACFT BANK SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT ENTERED A SPIRAL DIVE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED LOT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING SEPARATION OCCURRED WHEN THE FRONT SPAR LOWER WING ATTACH FITTING PULLED FREE OF THE WING SPAR. THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF WOOD DETERIORATION IN THE LOWER ROOT END SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING FRONT SPAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6586V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31 ATC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31006
- Airframe hours: 1775
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph Markson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1983
- Departed: BED

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,510 total, 2,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 8 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 19831028055869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831028055869A), Oct 28, 1983: Blanca 1731ATC, Littleton, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right wing separated in flight. Wood rot and decay in wing front spar caused failure. Not visable on inspection.

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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