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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 18, 1986 · Bellanca 17-300 · N4881V

El Paso, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
El Paso, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-300
Tail Number
N4881V
Operator
Benny F Papridge
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW86LA070

THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 2.6 HOURS ON THE MAIN TANKS. NORMAL OPERATING TIME ON THE MAIN TANKS IS 2.5 HOURS ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE BELLANCA VIKING 300 SERIES. AT THE CRASH SITE THE MAIN TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AND THE AUX TANKS WERE FULL. THE PLT HAD FAILED TO SWITCH FROM THE MAIN TANKS TO THE AUX TANKS. NO EVIDENCE OF ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND TO EXIT WHEN EXAMINED.

Full Narrative

THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 2.6 HOURS ON THE MAIN TANKS. NORMAL OPERATING TIME ON THE MAIN TANKS IS 2.5 HOURS ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE BELLANCA VIKING 300 SERIES. AT THE CRASH SITE THE MAIN TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AND THE AUX TANKS WERE FULL. THE PLT HAD FAILED TO SWITCH FROM THE MAIN TANKS TO THE AUX TANKS. NO EVIDENCE OF ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND TO EXIT WHEN EXAMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MST
Nearest Airport6nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-300
Tail NumberN4881V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBenny F Papridge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:59
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data