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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 20, 1993 · Bellanca 17-30A · N4045B

Plainview, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Plainview, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N4045B
Operator
Mccann Michael J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA109

DURING FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AND FLAPS FULL DOWN. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN FOR 2 HOURS ON THE RIGHT TANK AND THE PILOT HAD SWITCHED TANKS. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. THERE WAS NO FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES OR ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS LEADING TO THE ENGINE. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK WAS FULL, ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S THE IMPROPER FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS WERE THE FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.

Full Narrative

On March 20, 1993, at approximately 1330 central standard time, during a forced landing to runway 13 at the Hale County airport, Plainview, Texas, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane, N4045B, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain short of the runway. Minor injuries were sustained by the private pilot and his one passenger. Visual meterological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight. During interviews with pilot and passenger by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the facts in this paragraph were stated. The flight originated from the departure airport earlier that day. During the approach at the destination airport, the propeller was "stationary prior to landing." Examination of the accident site and airplane by the FAA inspector revealed the following: The fuel selector valve was "frozen" in the left tank position. The left tank was full of fuel. Unusable fuel from the right tank was estimated as one and one half gallons. No anomalies were noted with the auxiliary fuel pump nor the fuel lines to the engine driven fuel pump. Fuel manifold and manifold lines did not contain fuel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 CST
Nearest AirportHale County (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN4045B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMccann Michael J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 14 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data