Bellanca BL-17-30A N6645V

Summary

On 1 May 1998 at about 18:30 local time, a Bellanca BL-17-30A registered N6645V, operated by John S. Abernathy, was involved in an accident near Brewton, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 May 1998 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Brewton, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.1107, -87.0703

Aircraft

Bellanca BL-17-30A

Registration

N6645V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John S. Abernathy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grove Hill → Destin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98LA070

Nobody was injured.

Improper maintenance procedures used to overhaul the engine, which led to the crankshaft failure. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the fence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot experienced a lost of engine power and he made a forced landing in an a field There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft was substantially damaged after colliding with a fence during the landing roll. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 3 main bearing had spun, the crankshaft was broken at the number 3 cheek, and the crankcase exhibited fretting at the case mating surfaces, consistent with improper through-bolt torque. The engine had undergone a top overhaul 197.4 hours prior to the failure of the crankshaft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.