Thursday, July 9, 2015

Pilot’s improper fuel management resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation of the BELLANCA 17-30A, registration: N351AE plane in Alabaster, Alabama

 

 
NTSB Identification: ERA14LA083
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 01, 2014 in Alabaster, AL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/22/2015
Aircraft: BELLANCA 17-30A, registration: N351AE
Injuries: 1 Minor.
 
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot stated that, while en route on the approximate 11-mile flight, the engine began to “stumble” and run roughly.

The pilot activated the fuel boost pump, but, shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently maneuvered the airplane toward the backyard of a residence.

The airplane impacted trees and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main fuel tank contained about 10.5 gallons of fuel.

About 0.5 gallon of fuel was drained from the left main fuel tank. The auxiliary fuel tank contained no fuel, and the gascolator was absent of fuel. The engine-driven fuel pump line and return fuel line were absent of fuel.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. During a test run, the engine started on the first attempt, accelerated smoothly, and advanced through all power settings with no anomalies observed.

Although the airplane’s fuel selector was found set to the right main tank position during postaccident examination, based on the lack of fuel in the fuel lines and gascolator, it is likely that it was set to the left main or the auxiliary fuel tank during the flight and moved to the right main tank position just before or after impact.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:  


The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.