Bellanca BL17-30 N4882V

Summary

On 12 October 2000 at about 23:30 local time, a Bellanca BL17-30 registered N4882V was involved in an accident near Waller, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

12 October 2000 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Waller, Texas, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bellanca BL17-30

Registration

N4882V

Category

Airplane

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

FTW01LA009

2 people had minor injuries.

the loss of engine power during climb to cruise due to the failure of the crankshaft counterweight. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During climb to cruise, approximately 1,100 feet agl, the pilot heard a 'loud sound' from the engine, followed by a 'hard vibration.' The pilot turned toward the airport and then the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field near the airport. The airplane struck a tree and impacted terrain. A teardown examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at the lead bushing hole in the number 2 cheek counterweight housing. The crankshaft 'bump' surface at the fractured leading end exhibited polishing from the counterweight hitting the surface. The polishing could only occur if the rear pin had escaped and the counterweight stood up, hitting the camshaft and crankcase as it trailed through the engine. The counterweight housing had fractured due to overload.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.