Summary
On December 17, 1993, a Bellanca 8KCAB (N5065G) was involved in an accident near Westcliffe, CO. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: WAS FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD BEARING. A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
On December 17, 1993, at 1235 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N5065G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 10 miles south of Westcliffe, Colorado. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Custer County Airport with an intended destination of Fremont County Airport. No flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, he had been airborne approximately 2 minutes and began getting smoke in the cockpit. The pilot said that the engine "stopped" and he was forced to land in mountainous terrain.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW94LA049. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5065G.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
WAS FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD BEARING. A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On December 17, 1993, at 1235 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N5065G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 10 miles south of Westcliffe, Colorado. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Custer County Airport with an intended destination of Fremont County Airport. No flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, he had been airborne approximately 2 minutes and began getting smoke in the cockpit. The pilot said that the engine "stopped" and he was forced to land in mountainous terrain. During the landing, the left wing struck the ground first and the aircraft nosed over.
The engine was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who found that the number two connecting rod bearing had failed and the rod had exited through the engine case.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW94LA049