Bellanca 7ECA N88408

Summary

On 21 August 1999 at about 23:30 local time, a Bellanca 7ECA registered N88408, operated by Attitude Aviation, was involved in an accident near Livermore, California, United States. 2 people were 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

21 August 1999 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Livermore, California, United States

Nearest airport

Livermore Airport (LVK)

Coordinates

37.6808, -121.7491

Aircraft

Bellanca 7ECA

Registration

N88408

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Attitude Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA279

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the no. 3 cylinder exhaust valve due to the operator's failure to adhere to recommended overhaul periods set by the engine manufacturer. A factor in the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff initial climb a partial loss of power was experienced, with the rpm's decreasing to 1,500 accompanied by roughness. The CFI took the controls from the student, made a 180-degree turn back to the runway, and landed hard on a taxiway. Both pilots indicated that there were no discrepancies noted with the preflight, engine start, taxi, or run-up. During the engine examination the number 3 exhaust valve was found broken, and the head found embedded in the piston. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the engine had accumulated 3,711.0 hours since the last major overhaul, which took place on November 30, 1993. According to the engine manufacturer, 2,400 hours or 12 calendar years is the maximum recommended time between overhaul. A Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin addresses the need to inspect exhaust valves and valve guides to prevent sticking and possible failure due to excessive guide wear. The bulletin recommends an inspection at 400-hour intervals. No record was found in the logbooks of compliance with the bulletin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.