Bellanca 17-31ATC N8800V

Summary

On 29 April 2024 at about 01:15 local time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC registered N8800V was involved in an accident near El Cajon, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 April 2024 at 01:15

Classification

Accident

Location

El Cajon, California, United States

Nearest airport

Gillespie Fld (SEE)

Coordinates

32.8152, -116.9269

Aircraft

Bellanca 17-31ATC

Registration

N8800V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA135

1 person had minor injuries.

Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of an engine-driven vacuum pump, which resulted in oil starvation to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the A&P IA’s lack of supervision.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a test flight following the completion of an annual inspection. During the takeoff climb, the pilot observed an abnormal oil pressure indication and elected to return to the airport. While returning to the airport, the engine sustained a complete loss of oil pressure followed by a loss of all power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make an off-airport landing to a nearby road. During the landing, the airplane struck a power line and a utility pole before it impacted the ground and came to rest upright. A serviceable engine-driven vacuum pump had been installed on the airplane about 25 days before the accident by a mechanic trainee. After the installation, an engine test ground run was completed and the airplane was returned to service. A mechanic with airframe, powerplant, and inspection authorization (A&P IA) was present but did not verify that the engine-driven vacuum pump had been properly installed or set to any specific torque value. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a crack in the engine case between cylinder Nos. 5 and 6, as well as no presence of oil in the oil sump. Internal thermal discoloration and damage identified during the engine teardown were consistent with lubrication deprivation. Additionally, the engine-driven vacuum pump remained attached to but not secured to its mounting pad. All four of the mounting studs were loose, which allowed for forward and aft movement, or “play,” in the vacuum pump of about 1/8 inch with minimal resistance. The vacuum pump accessory mounting pad has a drilled passage that can supply pressurized lubricating oil. In the accident installation, this oil passage was blocked off by mechanical clamping force and a gasket. Absent sufficient clamping force, the oil would leak out until the oil sump is depleted of oil.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.