Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: ERA14LA436
14 CFR Part 91: General AviationAccident occurred Saturday, September 13, 2014 in Monroe, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/26/2015
Aircraft: BELLANCA 17-30A, registration: N6648V
Injuries: 2 Serious.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
During the approach at night, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the oil filter adapter was loose and that it was installed incorrectly with two copper crush gaskets rather than with one copper crush gasket and one fiber gasket per the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The fiber gasket would have held the required torque for the fitting; however, the copper crush gasket did not hold the required torque. Because the oil filter adapter was loose, oil leaked from the engine, which led to the failure of the Nos. 4 and 5 connecting rods due to a lack of oil lubrication. The oil filter adapter was not original equipment on the engine. Although it could be installed under a supplemental type certificate, a review of maintenance and aircraft records did not reveal any entry or record pertaining to the installation of the oil filter adapter. The airplane had been operated for about 70 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 1 year before the accident. It could not be determined when the oil filter adapter was incorrectly installed.
Although the pilot stated that he had fueled the airplane with 100 low-lead aviation gasoline, automobile gasoline was recovered from the fuel tanks. The higher-compression ratio engine was not designed or approved to operate on automobile gasoline, and engine examinations revealed that it had been operating at higher temperatures due to the use of automobile gasoline. If the engine had not failed due to oil starvation, it is likely that it would have soon begun to detonate due to the use of the improper fuel.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The improper installation of the oil filter adapter at an unknown time, which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent oil starvation to the engine.
On September 13, 2014, about 2130 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N6648V, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing into trees, following a total loss of engine power during approach near Monroe, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Dallas Bay Sky Park (1A0), Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 1940. No flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Greene County Airport (3J7), Greensboro, Georgia.
The pilot reported that prior to the accident flight, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included adding 100 low-lead aviation gasoline to the left and right wing fuel tanks. He had anticipated fog at his destination airport and planned for a potential diversion to several alternate airports. He subsequently diverted to Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73), Monroe, Georgia. About 3 miles from D73, the pilot heard a "bang" as the engine began to run rough and catch fire. He then pulled the mixture lever back and moved the fuel selector to off. He also dove the airplane until the fire was out. The pilot set up for a forced landing and attempted to glide to D73, but the airplane impacted trees about 1 mile from the airport.
The four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear airplane, serial number 30301, was manufactured in 1970. It was powered by Continental Motors IO-520, 300-horsepower engine with a compression ratio of 8.5 to 1. The engine was equipped with a McCauley three-blade, constant-speed propeller. According to the aircraft logbooks, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on September 21, 2013. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 2,969 total hours of operation. The engine had accumulated 1,798 hours since it was remanufactured in 1974. The airplane had flown about 68 hours from the time of the most recent annual inspection, until the accident. The pilot purchased the airplane on November 20, 2013.
The engine was equipped with an F&M Enterprises Inc. (model C6LC) oil filter adapter. The oil filter adapter was not original equipment, but could be installed on the engine under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) number DE09356SC; however, review of the engine logbook did not reveal any record of the oil filter adapter installation. Further review of FAA airworthiness records for the accident airplane did not reveal any record of the installation being filed with the FAA. Review of the oil filter adapter manufacturer's installation instructions revealed that one fiber gasket and one copper crush gasket were to be used in the installation.
Initial examination of the engine revealed a hole near the top front of the case. The wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility for further examination by a representative from the engine manufacturer, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The examination revealed that the Nos. 4 and 5 connecting rods had separated and exhibited heat damage due to a lack of lubrication. Further examination revealed that the oil filter adapter was loose and had been installed using two copper crush gaskets, rather than one copper crush gasket and one fiber gasket per the installation instructions.
Additionally, automobile gasoline was recovered from the fuel tanks, which was not approved for that model engine. Examination of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinders revealed little to no combustion deposits, consistent with higher operating temperatures of automobile gasoline in that engine.
JASON L. BAILEY: http://registry.faa.gov/N6648V
NTSB Identification: ERA14LA436
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 13, 2014 in Monroe, GA
Aircraft: BELLANCA 17-30A, registration: N6648V
Injuries: 2 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On September 13, 2014, about 2130 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N6648V, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing into trees, following a total loss of engine power during cruise flight near Monroe, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Dallas Bay Sky Park (1A0), Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 1940. No flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Greene County Airport (3J7), Greensboro, Georgia.
The pilot reported that he had anticipated fog at his destination airport and planned for several alternate airports. He subsequently diverted to Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73), Monroe, Georgia. About 6 miles from D73, the pilot heard a "bang" and the engine lost all power. The pilot set up for a forced landing and attempted to glide to D73, but the airplane impacted trees about 1 mile from the airport.
Initial examination of the engine revealed a hole near the top front of the case. The engine was retained for further examination.
A Chattanooga Pilot's plane goes down in the Georgia woods and lives to tell the tale.
The Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking had to make an emergency landing in Monroe County Saturday night after the weather took a turn for the worse.
NewsChannel9 spoke to Pilot Jason Bailey by Skype this evening from his hospital room in Monroe County, Georgia. Bailey is pretty banged up but he says that's nothing compared to what could have happened to him and his passenger.
Broken bones, a cracked sternum and a few bumps and bruises. Bailey admits he's seen better days. But he tells us he's thankful to be alive.
"Part of me still can't believe it. I think of the reports I've read, I think of how violent the impact was and it's one of those things where it can't be described and other way than God's grace," said Bailey.
Bailey says he thought the flight to visit family in Georgia would be smooth and brief. Instead, Bailey was forced into a situation where he had to act fast.
"Suddenly out of nowhere I heard a very loud bang. In addition to that or along with it, came the ominous flames out of the front of the cowling there which covers the engine, the power plant. Smoke started billowing out and also started filing the cabin," said Bailey.
With no time to think, Bailey says he shut the engine off and dove the plane down where it eventually landed in a pile of trees.
"It did run through my mind that you know, we may not make it through this because when we first hit that first tree branch, it was violent beyond anything I've ever personally experienced," said Bailey.
But with the help of adrenaline, Bailey was able to remain alert and call for help.
"It was a very violent impact but I was conscious through the whole ordeal and able to kick the door open when we got there with the endorphins and the adrenaline and we all lived somehow so miraculously," said Bailey.
But don't expect this Private Pilot with more than 500 hours to stay away from the skies anytime soon.
"If friends showed up right now and asked me to go for a ride in an airplane, I'd say, hey doc, I'll be back in a few minutes," said Bailey.
Chattanooga resident Tammy Jarrard was also flying with Bailey when the plane crashed. Bailey says she's in stable condition and suffered a few cracked ribs, bruises and lacerations but she is expected to be okay.
They were also traveling with two dogs who also suffered a few injuries, but they too, are going to be just fine.
By Alyssa Spirato
- Source: http://www.newschannel9.com
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) - The pilot of the plane that went down in Walton, Georgia Saturday tells Channel 3 he, his passenger and the two dogs on board are doing okay.
Pilot Jason Bailey suffers from 3 broken ribs, a cracked sternum, punctured lung, broken tailbone, bruised heart and two fractured disks in his lower back on top of multiple contusions and lacerations. He says being able to walk away from the crash site is nothing short of a miracle.
When Jason Bailey left Chattanooga around 7:30 in the evening, he thought it would be an uneventful one-hour flight to Greensboro, Georgia. It was getting dark when Bailey decided to change his route to Monroe Georgia, that airport was closer and radiation fog was making it impossible to see.
"If you have ever been on Lookout Mountain, when it's really foggy up there sometimes you can't even see in front of your face. In the fog it was definitely that thick," said Bailey.
Just 6 miles from the airport with the field beacon and runway lights in sight, there is a loud bang. Bailey told Channel 3 his engine suddenly caught fire filling his cockpit with smoke.
"All of a sudden a very unexpected loud bank and it was obviously from the engine and immediately following was black smoke, the smell of black smoke. It's one of those things where you train for it you've read about it but it's not just you, it's everybody else on board in the cockpit," said Bailey.
In seconds Bailey opened a side window, shut off the fuel and pointed the nose to the ground to put out the flames. He quickly realized he wouldn't make the runway.
"In my mind I was thinking well it's been a good few years I've had here , we might not make it," said Bailey.
The plane hit a couple of trees, went into a spin and landed nearly 100 feet from his destination. Fellow pilots say it is a miracle anyone survived.
"It's truly by the grace of God they're walking out of that. Jason is a good pilot, I've flown with him before... nice and smooth and he is good. He had pretty good skills to get it down like that, " said fellow pilot Frank Davey.
At first Bailey says he didn't feel much pain, he was too worried about his passengers. Luckily his passenger is doing okay, she is reportedly recovering from a few broken ribs and a back injury.
One of the dogs flying with Bailey was ejected from the plane during the crash, that pup survived with multiple fractures and a separated shoulder.
The other dog flying will also be okay, he only has a fractured paw. Bailey says the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
He tells Channel 3 he believes missing the fog in Greensboro and hitting the small patch of trees beside the runway, saved their lives.
Source: http://www.wrcbtv.com
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| Pilot Jason Bailey |
Updated: September 15, 2014 at 8:11 PM EST
Pilot and passenger aboard Chattanooga-owned plane that crashed in Georgia remain hospitalized
UPDATE: Two Chattanooga residents remain hospitalized after the plane they were flying in crashed Saturday.
Pilot Jason Bailey and passenger Tamara Jarrard were taken to the local hospital and are listed in stable condition.
There is no word on the dogs' condition.
WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — A woman was hospitalized after a plane crash in Monroe in Walton County on Saturday.
Authorities confirmed that a man, woman, and two dogs were on the plane when it tried to make an emergency landing.
The man, who was the pilot, and the two dogs were unharmed. The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
“Once I arrived on scene I noticed the pilot standing up talking to my investigator and appeared to just have minor injuries. He just walked away. It's really a blessing,” said Chief Deputy Keith Brooks with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
The group was flying from Chattanooga, Tenn. when smoke started coming from the engine.
The pilot was gliding toward the airport when the wing hit a tree, causing the crash.
The plane went down less than a mile from the Monroe Airport around 9 p.m. Saturday.
The FAA will be on the scene on Sunday to investigate the crash.
- Source: http://www.wsbtv.com
The light you see is investigators working the plane crash in Monroe.
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One person was taken to the hospital after a plane crash in Walton County
The plane went down Saturday evening.
Walton County Fire & Emergency Services Battalion Chief Craig League said one patient was transported to Clearview Regional Medical Center with injuries.
“There were two people in the plane, along with two dogs,” League said.
“All others, including the dogs, were minor injuries.”
League said the pilot had engine trouble and was attempting to land at Monroe Airport when it went down.
The scene has been locked down pending an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Keith Brooks said he believes the crew was from Chattanooga.
The pilot experienced engine trouble and attempted to glide into the airport.
He wasn’t successful, hitting a tree on his way down. Brooks said no properties were damaged.
“The pilot walked away without any injuries and his wife was taken to Clearview with minor injuries,” Brooks said, adding he was surprised at how little damage the plane appeared to have.
“We are holding the scene until the Federal Aviation Administration can get here for the investigation.”
- Source: http://monroelocal.org
MONROE, GA (AP) - Federal authorities are investigating a small plane crash in Walton County.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen says a Bellanca 17 aircraft carrying two people and two dogs crashed in a field about a mile southeast of the Monroe-Walton County Airport Saturday night.
Bergen says the pilot was scheduled to land at the Greene County Regional Airport but was diverted because of weather.
Walton County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Keith Brooks told WSB-TV the pilot was alert, conscious and talking to investigators when he arrived on the scene. Authorities say a woman suffered minor injuries.
The FAA is investigating the crash and Bergen says the National Transportation Safety Board will determine probable cause.
According to FAA records the fixed wing, single engine plane is registered to a Chattanooga, Tennessee man.
To have survived a night time dead stick crash landing is totally successful.
ReplyDeleteThe sheriff stated "He wasn’t successful, hitting a tree on his way down. The pilot walked away without any injuries and his wife was taken to Clearview with minor injuries,” adding he was surprised at how little damage the plane appeared to have.
Thank you for noticing ... Here is the pilot.
ReplyDelete