# NTSB NYC93LA099: Bellanca 17-31, N73SM, Leesport, PA, June 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1993, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Leesport, PA
- Coordinates: 40.439567, -75.95922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4396&lon=-75.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA099

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, WHICH RESULTED IN FORCED LANDING AND COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A TEST FLIGHT AFTER COMPLETION OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.  AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 600 FEET THE ENGINE LOST COMPLETE POWER AFTER THE PILOT REDUCED POWER.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING, ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES. THE FAA FOUND APPROXIMATELY 25 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT WING TANK AND FUEL SATURATION IN THE GROUND NEAR THE RUPTURED LEFT FUEL TANK.  THE FAA SUCCESSFULLY TEST RAN THE ENGINE AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73SM-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 75-31111, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-31111
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kendell & Cary Hilton
- Registered owner: Kendell & Cary Hilton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: RDG
- Destination: RDG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,500 total, 70 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDG, 2 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 19930604016879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930604016879A), Jun 4, 1993: Blanca 1731ATC, Reading, PA, Destroyed. Engine lost power on climbout. Force landed in trees. No engine defects found.

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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