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NTSB Report

October 6, 1987 · Bellanca 17-30A · N39857

Newport, VT

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

October 6, 1987

Injury Outcomes

1 injury (1 serious injury)

Location

Newport, VT

Aircraft

Bellanca 17-30A

Tail Number

N39857

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

NYC88LA002

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 75' AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERG LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT HAD A VERY LOOSELY FITTING FUEL CAP & WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES & SUMPS. THE PLT SAID HE HAD CHECKED THE FUEL DURING THE PREFLIGHT, BUT APPARENTLY THE SAMPLES WERE ALL WATER WHICH HE MISTOOK AS FUEL. THE ACDNT OCCURRED AFTER RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 75' AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERG LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT HAD A VERY LOOSELY FITTING FUEL CAP & WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES & SUMPS. THE PLT SAID HE HAD CHECKED THE FUEL DURING THE PREFLIGHT, BUT APPARENTLY THE SAMPLES WERE ALL WATER WHICH HE MISTOOK AS FUEL. THE ACDNT OCCURRED AFTER RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time08:00 EDT

Nearest AirportNewport State (0nm N)

Runway18

Runway Length4000 ft

Runway Width100 ft

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A

Tail NumberN39857

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)

Fatal0

Serious1

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total1

Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourcePILO

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October 6, 1987 · Bellanca 17-30A · N39857

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