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NTSB Report
September 24, 1985 · Bellanca 17-30A · N6627V
Burlington, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Burlington, WA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N6627V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA85LA230
DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE PLT SMELLED SMOKE & HEARD A BACKFIRE, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD ON ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. A VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD FAILED AT ITS OUTLET. THIS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER THE ENG COMPARTMENT & DAMAGE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, ALTERNATOR & MAGNETO WIRING (P-LEADS). WITH P-LEAD FAILURE, THE MAGNETOS WOULD HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE, AD 76-23-03, WHICH REQUIRED AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYS EACH 100 HRS, HAD LAST BEEN COMPLIED WITH ON 8/18/82. HOWEVER THE ACFT HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR ONLY 50 FLT HRS SINCE THAT DATE.
Full Narrative
DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE PLT SMELLED SMOKE & HEARD A BACKFIRE, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD ON ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. A VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD FAILED AT ITS OUTLET. THIS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER THE ENG COMPARTMENT & DAMAGE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, ALTERNATOR & MAGNETO WIRING (P-LEADS). WITH P-LEAD FAILURE, THE MAGNETOS WOULD HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE, AD 76-23-03, WHICH REQUIRED AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYS EACH 100 HRS, HAD LAST BEEN COMPLIED WITH ON 8/18/82. HOWEVER THE ACFT HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR ONLY 50 FLT HRS SINCE THAT DATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 PDT
Nearest AirportSkagit Regional/Bay View (2nm WNW)
Runway28
Runway Length5364 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN6627V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 8 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:35
Weather SourcePILO