EL PASO, TX, USA
N39854
BELLANCA 17-30A
SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PLT FIRST SMELLED, THEN OBSERVED SMOKE COMING INTO THE COCKPIT FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENG QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN AREA OFF THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT & THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER ON THE LEFT SIDE, WHICH HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED ON 7/25/83, HAD FAILED NEAR THE OUTLET, ALLOWING HOT EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER THE ENG COMPARTMENT & BURN A WIRE BUNDLE CONTAINING THE MAGNETO WIRING (P-LEADS). A LARGE SECTION WAS MISSING FROM THE REAR HALF OF THE MUFFLER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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