NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On December 1, 1996, about 0820 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC, N123SS, collided with the ground during an uncontrolled descent at the Fitzgerald Municipal Airport, Fitzgerald, Georgia. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed southeast of the airport. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The airline transport pilot was seriously injured, and the three passengers were fatally injured. There was substantial damage to the airplane. The time of the departure was unknown.

The pilot flew into Fitzgerald airport the Wednesday prior to the accident. The airplane had not been flown until the day of the accident. The pilot had the airplane topped-off, with 100LL grade fuel, the afternoon prior to the accident. On the morning of the accident, the pilot obtained weather information by listening to the Weather Channel on television. The pilot recalled a light misting rain falling when he arrived at the airport and during the engine run-up. The pilot recalled the run-up and nothing afterwards.

The pilot's in-laws observed the loading of the airplane and watched the takeoff. They stated that they didn't get wet and did not note any gusty winds, while at the airport. They observed the airplane use most of the runway during the takeoff roll and climb into the clouds, but not as quickly as usual. They left the airport after the takeoff, unaware of the accident.

After an unknown elapsed time, an ear witness heard fluctuations of an aircraft engine followed by the sounds of impact. He discovered N123SS approximately 300 yards beyond the departure threshold of runway 19. According to this investigator, the witness verbally informed the Investigator-In-Charge that it was raining hard with thunder and lightning at the time he heard the impact.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot was certificated as an Airline Transport Pilot with B-737, CE-500, DC-9, FK-28, FK-100, MD-80 and LR-JET type ratings. He had more than 11700 total flight hours. The pilot stated that, at the time of the accident, he was a Captain with USAirways in the MD-80 airplane.

The pilot stated that he had flight experience in several general aviation light airplanes. The pilot had been flying this particular airplane, completing the same trip, West Palm Beach to Fitzgerald to West Palm Beach, for the past several years. He recounted an incident in a Mooney 201 during which there was a loss of power during descent. The pilot executed a successful forced landing in shallow water with minor impact damage.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The Bellanca Viking 300A is a four seat, low wing, retractable tricycle landing gear, single engine airplane. The weekend prior to the flight to Fitzgerald, the owner of the airplane had flown to Venice, Florida, in N123SS, for the day. After the departure from Venice, the owner experienced a reduction in engine power. The owner left the airplane in Venice for repairs, which included the replacement of a cracked fuel line. After the airplane was repaired, the accident pilot test flew the airplane, and noted it performed without malfunctions. He then made the flight to Fitzgerald.

The aircraft log, for N123SS, indicated that an annual inspection was performed on September 12, 1996, and was determined to be in airworthy condition. The engine log for this same annual inspection indicated that the induction alternate air door was replaced. According to the engine log, on May 28, 1996, a screw was found loose in the alternate air door as well as the seal missing. The corrective action taken was removing the old door and installing a used serviceable door, with new hardware.

The air induction system for the Bellanca Viking 300A consists of a filtered air intake and an alternate air intake. Under normal operation, the filtered air intake is utilized. In the event the filtered air intake becomes clogged, the alternate air intake, which is a suction operated door in the air box, will become operational. The alternate air door operates by increased air pressure, from internal suction, overcoming the spring resistance, which holds the door closed. See attached diagram.

The Weight and Balance for N123SS for takeoff was calculated as follows:

Item Weight(lb.) Arm(in) Moment

Licensed Empty Weight 2492.2 18.07 45034.054 Pilot and Front Passenger 215.0 20.00 4300.000 Rear Seat Passenger 140.0 53.00 7420.000 Baggage(186 lb. max.) 131.0 84.00 11004.000 Oil 22.5 -41.00 -922.500 Fuel - 60 gallons 360.0 29.00 10440.000 Auxiliary tank - 15 gallons 90.0 72.00 6480.000

Total Loaded Aircraft 3450.7 83755.554

C.G. = 24.27" aft of datum (Moment / Weight)

The maximum allowable gross weight for the Viking 300A is 3325lbs. The C.G. limitation at 3325lbs is 22.0 to 23.5" aft of datum. The baggage was weighed at the accident sight. This data was based on known weights of the passengers and baggage.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At the time of the flight, visual meteorological conditions prevailed southeast of the airport, and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed to the north.

On December 1, 1996, at 0850 eastern standard time (EST), the Automatic Terminal Information Services (ATIS) for Southwest Georgia Airport, Albany, Georgia, located 48 nautical miles (nm) west of Fitzgerald, was reporting winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots (kt), a ceiling of 800 feet overcast, visibility of 2 1/2 miles, lightening and thundershowers overhead moving east. At 0850 EST, the ATIS for Bacon County Airport, Alma, Georgia, located 40 nm east of Fitzgerald, was reporting winds 210 degrees at 10 kt, a ceiling of 8000 feet overcast, occasional lightening in clouds overhead.

Weather information was obtained for Fitzgerald Airport, from 0701 EST to 0921 EST. At 0821, the reported weather was temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 65 degrees Fahrenheit, wind 200 degrees at 13 kt, barometric pressure of 29.87" mercury. From 0701 to 0921, the temperature and dewpoint become closer, and from 0841 to 0921, they became the same at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The barometric pressure increases from 29.83 to 29.90", between 0701 and 0921 EST.

The pilot stated that he obtained weather information by watching the Weather Channel on the television, about 0600 to 0700 EST, the morning of the accident. He stated that he noted a weather front moving in from north of the airport, with a discernible cloud front. He also stated that southeast of the airport was clear. During the run-up, he recalled a light misting rain falling.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The wreckage was found approximately 300 yards south of the runway 19 departure threshold, near a peanut patch. A ground scar was observed, with debris from the left wingtip found adjacent to it. Beyond that, debris from the engine cowling was found, leading up to the main wreckage. The airplane was found upright.

The spinner was found crushed aft and peeled around the propeller dome. All three propeller blades were twisted spanwise toward lower pitch. All three blades had scrape marks running chordwise on the cambered side. One propeller blade was bent aft. One blade had several 1/4" deep gouges on the leading edge.

The engine, and the attached nose gear frame, were displaced aft of their original position. The nose gear was found collapsed, as if in the process of retracting. The air box was attached to the engine and partially opened, revealing the detached alternate air door inside the box. The right hinge of the alternate air door was broken; the clear fracture surface was rough, granular, and irregular in appearance. Also, the spring was missing. The alternate air box originally was mounted on the aft side of the injector servo. It was found crushed between the engine and the firewall. The firewall was found displaced 3 - 6 in. aft of its original position. The engine and propeller were found on top of the instrument panel.

The fuselage was broken just forward of the front seats. Both control columns were broken off upward. The control bar, just forward of the instrument panel, was found intact. The empennage was found intact. Control cable and push-pull rob continuity to all flight controls was observed.

The left wing was separated from the airframe approximately seven feet outboard of the root. The wing tip rib was found adjacent to the ground scar, as mentioned above. Other pieces were scattered from the first crater to the main wreckage. The left wing flap trailing edge was folded under the wing. The right wing leading edge plywood was found disrupted, approximately three to four feet outboard, exposing the spar and root. The right wing flap trailing edge was found in the up position.

Examination of the instrument panel was performed. See Supplement B for configurations. The throttle, manifold pressure, and mixture controls, were found in the full forward position. The manual turbocharger was found in the closed position.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

On December 1, 1996, a toxicological test was performed on the pilot by the Dorminy Medical Center, 200 Perry House Road, Fitzgerald, Georgia. The toxicological examination report indicated an ethanol level of <10 mg/dl. According to the Dorminy Medical Center, ethanol levels of 0 - 10 mg/dl are reported as <10 mg/dl.

TEST AND RESEARCH

The engine was examined on December 9, 1996, at the Jackson County Airport, Jefferson, Georgia. Mechanical continuity was observed as the engine was rotated by hand. The #1 and 3 fuel injectors seals showed signs of wear and were brittle. The #2, 4, and 6 injectors seals were found clean, however, all seals were worn and brittle. All six cylinder crowns and piston crowns showed a significant amount of soot. The #5 and 6 cylinder intake and exhaust push rods were bent. The vacuum pump rotated freely, by hand. The drive gear was intact, with audible suction on rotation. The spark plugs showed a significant amount of soot.

On January 27, 1997, Precision Airmotive Corporation performed a component inspection and flow check on the fuel injection system. See attached flow sheet. The injector servo flowed within specifications except at idle cut off, which was 1.0 pounds per hour (lbs/hr) The flow sheet shows 0.0 lbs/hr being normal operation. They found the #1 fuel injector visually blocked and the presence of fuel. The #3 injector had water in it, and the #5 injector was clear. A flow test was performed on the flow divider (P/N 2524232-2), and was found to be stuck closed at 8 psi. The servo was received with all hard lines attached. The unit showed damage to the body where one of the mounting brackets was bent and a dent was present. Several of the hard lines were cracked or broken. The unit had to be filed in the area of the dent to fit into the test fixture. The unit was disassembled and no unusual wear was found. The unit was reassembled and found to function properly except one outlet was slightly outside the 10% variation in flow specified between outlets.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The aircraft wreckage was released to the registered owner on December 2, 1996: Harry Brooks Carson-Brooks Inc. 2300 Peachford Road Atlanta, GA 30338

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the blockage of the intake manifold of the induction air system, by the broken alternate air door, and the loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.