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February 2, 2008 · Bellanca 17-30A · N8794V

Mukilteo, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 2, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Mukilteo, WA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N8794V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA08LA068

While the pilot was on short-final for a touch-and-go landing, the airplane's engine lost all power. Because he was at such a low altitude, he did not have time to go through a complete restart procedure, so after switching fuel tanks, he aligned the airplane to land on a paved road that was under his approach path. While attempting to land on that road, the airplane clipped a power line and descended into the surface of the road. An inspection of the engine, fuel system, and air induction system did not reveal any system or component anomaly that would have prevented the engine from producing rated horsepower. Both the fuel tank that was selected prior to the power loss, and the fuel tank that was selected after the power loss contained sufficient fuel to maintain operation of the engine. Fuel was also found in the fuel manifold valve. The reason for the loss of power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power while on final approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was a power line.

Full Narrative

On February 2, 2008, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N8794V, collided with a power line during an attempted forced landing at Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), Mukilteo, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, received serious injuries, and the airplane, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed the same airport about 15 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, the airplane's engine lost all power while he was on short-final for a touch-and-go landing. Because he was at such a low altitude, he did not have time to go through a complete restart procedure, so after switching fuel tanks, he aligned the airplane to land on a paved road that was under his approach path. While attempting to land on that road, the airplane clipped a power line near the edge of the road. After hitting the power line, the airplane rolled to a steep angle of bank, and descended into the surface of the road. The engine, fuel system, and air induction system underwent a post-accident teardown inspection. That inspection did not reveal any system or component anomaly that would have prevented the engine from producing rated horsepower. In addition, both the fuel tank that was selected prior to the power loss, and the fuel tank that was selected after the power loss contained sufficient fuel to maintain operation of the engine. Fuel was also found in the fuel manifold valve, and the use of water detection paste determined that there was no water present in the valve.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PST
Nearest AirportPaine Field (2nm)
Runway34L
Runway Length9010 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN8794V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K1B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.55 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data