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NTSB Report
July 15, 1987 · Bellanca 17-30A · N28157
Mc Kinney, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Mc Kinney, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N28157
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87FA170
ON THE THIRD TOUCH AND GO LANDING, WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE APPROACH, THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED 3 TO 4 TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS AND ACTIVATING THE BOOST PUMP. THE ENGINE STARTED ONCE BUT FAILED AGAIN. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, STRIKING THE LEFT WING ON A FENCE POST AND COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH TANKS, HOWEVER, THE AUX TANK AND THE ENG FUEL DISTRIBUTER WERE FOUND EMPTY. THE CFI STATED DURING AN INTERVIEW AFTER THE ACCD THAT HE WAS NOT SURE WHICH FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED WHEN THE ENG FAILED. THE ENG RAN SATISFACTORILY DURING A POST-ACCD RUN-UP, HOWEVER, WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SWITCHED TO THE OFF OR AUX POSITIONS THE ENG WOULD STOP AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE.
Full Narrative
ON THE THIRD TOUCH AND GO LANDING, WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE APPROACH, THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED 3 TO 4 TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS AND ACTIVATING THE BOOST PUMP. THE ENGINE STARTED ONCE BUT FAILED AGAIN. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, STRIKING THE LEFT WING ON A FENCE POST AND COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH TANKS, HOWEVER, THE AUX TANK AND THE ENG FUEL DISTRIBUTER WERE FOUND EMPTY. THE CFI STATED DURING AN INTERVIEW AFTER THE ACCD THAT HE WAS NOT SURE WHICH FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED WHEN THE ENG FAILED. THE ENG RAN SATISFACTORILY DURING A POST-ACCD RUN-UP, HOWEVER, WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SWITCHED TO THE OFF OR AUX POSITIONS THE ENG WOULD STOP AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMckinney Muni. (2nm WNW)
Runway17
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN28157
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO