Bellanca 17-31A accident near Gainesboro, Tennessee, August 10, 2002
On August 10, 2002 at about 4:08 pm local time, a Bellanca 17-31A, registered N39835, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gainesboro, Tennessee. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a total loss of engine power due to the failure of the main bearing, a loss of oil pressure and the seizure of a connecting rod, resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2002 · about 4:08 pm local time
- Place
- Gainesboro, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-31A · all 17-31As on the register
- Registration
- N39835 · no longer on the register · serial 73-32-96
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
At an altitude of 3,500 feet, the airplane's engine began vibrating. The pilot said he was unable to maintain altitude and at about 1,800 feet the engine stopped operating. On approach to an open field the landing gear impacted a barbwire fence, collapsed, and the right wing hit a post, causing the airplane to veer to the right before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the number 3 cylinder was pushed away from the case. The cylinder studs were stripped as though the nuts had been force off without rotating. An engine teardown revealed that a main bearing on the crankshaft journal had spun; causing a reduction in forced oil lubrication, and seized the connecting rod, which forced the cylinder away for the case. The cause of the spun main bearing, which forced the cylinder displacement, was not determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 139 hours in all; 48 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 20, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,029 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2002; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1A7 Gainesboro TN at 3:40 pm
- Destination: SME Somerset KY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from SME, 52 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.