# NTSB SEA87LA069: Bellanca 17-30, N4878V, Medford, OR, March 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1987, 14:03 local (21:03 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OR
- Coordinates: 42.280712, -122.899993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2807&lon=-122.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A TOTAL AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AT ABOUT 3,500 FEET MSL DURING CLIMB FOR CRUISE. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. SINCE AN UNDERSHOOT WAS ASSURED THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AT ABOUT 20 MPH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH. NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS COULD BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4878V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4878V-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 30119, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30119
- Airframe hours: 991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger G. Burroughs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1987
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Destination: LMT, KLAMATH FALLS, OR
- Airport: MFR, Medford

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 935 total, 17 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °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 19870327007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870327007679A), Mar 27, 1987: Blanca 1730, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit a ditch during an emergency landing. Cause for the engine failure is undetermined.

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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