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NTSB Report

September 13, 1997 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N5272X

Crimora, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Crimora, VA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N5272X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA182

The student pilot reported that he checked the fuel tanks before departure and determined they were three-quarters full. He then departed on a cross-country flight. After 45 minutes of flight, the engine lost power. He overshot his chosen landing area, and struck a power pole. The FAA examined the airplane and found 3 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot had a total time of 13.8 hours with 4.5 hours as pilot-in-command. The fuel capacity of the airplane was 39 gallons with 1 gallon unusable.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's mismangement of fuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing was his inadequate preflight planning that resulted in an inadequate fuel supply..

Full Narrative

On September 13, 1997, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N5272X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Crimora, Virginia. The certificated student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross-country training flight which departed from Whitman Strip Airport, Manassas, Virginia, about 1045. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was received on April 22, 1998. It was unsigned, and only contained partial pilot information. All information received came from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An inspector from the FAA reported that the student pilot was on a cross-country flight to Waynsboro, Virginia, when the engine lost power. The student pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to an open field; however, the airplane was too high and overflew the field. The airplane then struck a power pole and came to rest 30 feet from a residence in a rural area. The aft fuselage was bent, and both wings were damaged with the rear wing spar fractured. A total of 3 gallons was found remaining in the two fuel tanks. Additionally, the FAA reported that the departure airport did not have fuel. The student pilot had dipped the tanks and reported that they were 3/4 full prior to departure. The student pilot had purchased the accident airplane on September 4, 1997. He had accumulated a total time of 13.8 hours at the time of the accident, with 4.5 hours of solo time. His student pilot certificate was endorsed for solo cross-country flight, but no specific airports were listed. His fight instructor had not reviewed his pre-flight planning or endorsed his log book for the flight. According to the FAA Type certificate data sheet for the 7GCBC, the total fuel capacity was 39 gallons with 1 gallon unusable.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN5272X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data