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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 31, 1985 · Bellanca 17-30A · N8233R

Roanoke, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Roanoke, VA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N8233R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85FA032

THE PLT REPORTED HE RAN A FUEL TANK DRY DURING FLT AT 6000 FT. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP & MANIP-ULATED THE ENG CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON I-581, THE ACFT STRUCK A PICKUP TRUCK (TRAVELING IN THE SAME DRCTN), THEN VEERED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE TRUCK WERE INJURED. ANEXAM REVEALED ALL FUEL TANKS CONTAINED FUEL EXCEPT THE L MAIN TANK. THE BOOST PUMP SW WAS FND IN THE 'PRIME' POSITION, A CONDITION WHICH COULD CAUSE FLOODING OF THE ENG. DETAILS OF AIR RESTART PROCEDURE & BOOST PUMP POSITION NOMENCLATURE DIFFER BETWEEN MANUALS/ACFT MARKINGS. FUEL MANAGEMENT FOR THE 4 TANKS REQUIRED POSITIONING 2 SELECTOR VALVES THRU 6 POSSIBLE POSITIONS. TWO FUEL GAGES WERE INSTALLED; 1 WAS FOR THE 2 MAIN TANKS, THE OTHER WAS FOR THE 2 AUX TANKS. THE GAGES INDICATED ONLY THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE SELECTED TANK. THE OTHER GAGE READ EMPTY WHEN NEITHER OF ITS RESPECTIVETANKS WERE SELECTED. FLT MANUAL PROVIDED ONLY LIMITED INFO ON FUEL SYS. PLT'S FACE INJURED, NO SHOULDER HARNESS INSTLD.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED HE RAN A FUEL TANK DRY DURING FLT AT 6000 FT. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP & MANIP-ULATED THE ENG CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON I-581, THE ACFT STRUCK A PICKUP TRUCK (TRAVELING IN THE SAME DRCTN), THEN VEERED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE TRUCK WERE INJURED. ANEXAM REVEALED ALL FUEL TANKS CONTAINED FUEL EXCEPT THE L MAIN TANK. THE BOOST PUMP SW WAS FND IN THE 'PRIME' POSITION, A CONDITION WHICH COULD CAUSE FLOODING OF THE ENG. DETAILS OF AIR RESTART PROCEDURE & BOOST PUMP POSITION NOMENCLATURE DIFFER BETWEEN MANUALS/ACFT MARKINGS. FUEL MANAGEMENT FOR THE 4 TANKS REQUIRED POSITIONING 2 SELECTOR VALVES THRU 6 POSSIBLE POSITIONS. TWO FUEL GAGES WERE INSTALLED; 1 WAS FOR THE 2 MAIN TANKS, THE OTHER WAS FOR THE 2 AUX TANKS. THE GAGES INDICATED ONLY THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE SELECTED TANK. THE OTHER GAGE READ EMPTY WHEN NEITHER OF ITS RESPECTIVETANKS WERE SELECTED. FLT MANUAL PROVIDED ONLY LIMITED INFO ON FUEL SYS. PLT'S FACE INJURED, NO SHOULDER HARNESS INSTLD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:02 EST
Nearest AirportRoanoke Muni (3nm SE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN8233R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:14
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data