Bellanca 17-31ATC N123SS

Summary

On 1 December 1996 at about 13:20 local time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC registered N123SS, operated by Albert J. Townsend, was involved in an accident near Fitzgerald, Georgia, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 December 1996 at 13:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Fitzgerald, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Fitzgerald Airport (FZG)

Coordinates

30.8393, -83.2698

Aircraft

Bellanca 17-31ATC

Registration

N123SS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Albert J. Townsend

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → West Palm Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL97FA021

3 people died.

A loss of engine power due to the blockage of the intake manifold of the induction air system, by the broken alternate air door, and the loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot could not recall the accident flight and there were no impact witnesses. He stated it was misting rain during loading & engine run-up. He also noted a weather front moving in from the north, and clear to the southeast. Relatives helped load the airplane, watched it depart, then drove to Florida. After an unknown elapsed time, an ear witness heard fluctuating engine sounds followed by an impact. He found the airplane south of runway 19. The airplane had impacted in a steep left wing & nose down attitude. Subsequent investigation revealed the intake air box alternate air door broken loose. A fresh fracture was evident on the door hinge. The spark plugs were sooted. The fuel injection system tested within limits.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.