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NTSB Report
July 13, 1987 · Bellanca 17-30A · N93664
Palatka, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Palatka, FL
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N93664
Operator
Dean Van Eaton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA87FA205
WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ACFT'S ENG SOUNDING ROUGH JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO THE TREES. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES & SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PLANE. A TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND ON THE RAMP AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PARKED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING & EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT DAMAGE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA BEHIND WHERE THE LEFT TAILPIPE HAD BEEN LOCATED.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ACFT'S ENG SOUNDING ROUGH JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO THE TREES. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES & SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PLANE. A TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND ON THE RAMP AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PARKED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING & EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT DAMAGE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA BEHIND WHERE THE LEFT TAILPIPE HAD BEEN LOCATED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN93664
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDean Van Eaton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 9 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC