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June 22, 1985 · Bellanca 17-30A · N93533

College Park, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
College Park, MD
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N93533
Operator
William D Breneman
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA051

BFR FLT, THE PLT OBTAINED FUEL SAMPLES THRU THE REMOTELY OPERATED GASCOLATOR, BUT DETECTED NO WATER. NO SAMPLES COULD BE DRAWN DIRECTLY FM THE WING OR FUSELAGE TANKS SINCE THEY HAD NO QUICK DRAINS INSTALLED. A PWR LOSS OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF AT 50 TO 100 FT AGL. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS (FROM L TO R MAIN) & ENGAGED THE BOOST PUMP. ENG PWR RETURNED AS THE ACFT STRUCK UTILITY LINES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED & HIT A FENCE BFR COMING TO REST. A SIMILAR PWR LOSS OCCURRED APRX 3 WKS EARLIER. MAINT PSNL FOUND A LOOSE L TANK FUEL CAP WHICH COULD HAVE ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO THIS TANK. A MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP FOR A TIGHT FIT. THE ACFT WAS THEN FLOWN TWICE, PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, WITH NO EVIDENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL OR OTHER DISCREPANCIES. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ACDNT, DIRECT ACCESS TO THE L MAIN TANK REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER WHICH WAS COLORED PINK. PINK STAINS WERE ALSO PRESENT ON THE TANK WALL ABOVE THE AFT FUEL OUTLET PORT. THE OUTLET PORTS OF THE INTERCONNECTED MAIN TANK CELLS WERE 3/8 TO 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE TANK BOTTOMS.

Full Narrative

BFR FLT, THE PLT OBTAINED FUEL SAMPLES THRU THE REMOTELY OPERATED GASCOLATOR, BUT DETECTED NO WATER. NO SAMPLES COULD BEDRAWN DIRECTLY FM THE WING OR FUSELAGE TANKS SINCE THEY HAD NO QUICK DRAINS INSTALLED. A PWR LOSS OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF AT 50 TO 100 FT AGL. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS (FROM L TO R MAIN) & ENGAGED THE BOOST PUMP. ENG PWR RETURNED AS THE ACFT STRUCK UTILITY LINES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED & HIT A FENCE BFR COMING TO REST. A SIMILAR PWRLOSS OCCURRED APRX 3 WKS EARLIER. MAINT PSNL FOUND A LOOSE L TANK FUEL CAP WHICH COULD HAVE ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO THIS TANK. A MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP FOR A TIGHT FIT. THE ACFT WAS THEN FLOWN TWICE, PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, WITH NO EVIDENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL OR OTHER DISCREPANCIES. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ACDNT, DIRECT ACCESS TO THE L MAIN TANK REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER WHICH WAS COLORED PINK. PINK STAINS WERE ALSO PRESENT ON THE TANK WALL ABOVE THE AFT FUEL OUTLET PORT. THE OUTLET PORTS OF THE INTERCONNECTED MAIN TANK CELLS WERE 3/8 TO 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE TANK BOTTOMS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:48 EDT
Nearest AirportCollege Park (1nm NNW)
Runway33
Runway Length2740 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN93533
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam D Breneman
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 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data