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NTSB Report

December 12, 1988 · Bellanca 17-30A · N14695

Athens, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Athens, GA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N14695
Operator
Morgan Lawrence L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA055

DURING DESCENT TOWARD HIS INTENDED DESTINATION, THE PILOT NOTED A FLOATING AMMETER NEEDLE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE NOTED HIS OIL PRESSURE WAS ZERO. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND HE SELECTED A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD FOR HIS FORCED LANDING. IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE APPROACH, A SEMI TRAILER OBSTRUCTED THE ROADWAY AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ROADWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF LACK OF LUBRICATION AND A SEPARATION OF A CONNECTING ROD. A FAN SHAPED OIL DEPOSIT WAS FOUND ON THE INSIDE OF THE BOTTOM ENGINE COWLING UNDER THE OIL COOLER. THE COOLER HAD BEEN INSTALLED 29 HOURS PREVIOUS.

Full Narrative

DURING DESCENT TOWARD HIS INTENDED DESTINATION, THE PILOT NOTED A FLOATING AMMETER NEEDLE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE NOTED HIS OIL PRESSURE WAS ZERO. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND HE SELECTED A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD FOR HIS FORCED LANDING. IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE APPROACH, A SEMI TRAILER OBSTRUCTED THE ROADWAY AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ROADWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF LACK OF LUBRICATION AND A SEPARATION OF A CONNECTING ROD. A FAN SHAPED OIL DEPOSIT WAS FOUND ON THE INSIDE OF THE BOTTOM ENGINE COWLING UNDER THE OIL COOLER. THE COOLER HAD BEEN INSTALLED 29 HOURS PREVIOUS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest AirportAthens-Ben Epps (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN14695
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMorgan Lawrence L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data