# NTSB NYC91FA103: Bellanca 17-31 ATC, N1269R, Gt. Barrington, MA, April 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Gt. Barrington, MA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36787/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA103

## Probable cause

THE MECHANIC'S IMPROPER USE OF ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND ON THE INJECTOR NOZZLE THREADS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,nozzle - arcing (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - improper use of, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - complacency, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE POWER TO CLEAR TREES LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IN THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AT THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLES USING AN ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND ON THE THREADS.  THE ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND WORKED ITS WAY INTO THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE THREW THE HOLES AND BLOCKED THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1269R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1269R-1991-11-05), registration cancelled 1991-11-05, S/N 31020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31 ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIE5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barrett Scoville
- Registered owner: Barrett Scoville
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1991
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GBR, Great Barrington, runway 29, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F

## 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 19910407009029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910407009029A), Apr 7, 1991: Blanca 1731ATC, Great Barringto, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Fuel injector clogged by anti seize used on threads on just completed annual. Lacked power,short runway. Hit trees.

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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