# Accident 20111101024989A: Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2, Borger, TX, November 1, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 1, 2011, 17:35 local time
- Place: Borger, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.7008° N, 101.3936° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7008&lon=-101.3936&mi=10
- Aircraft: N711W, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 (registry code 3080114, https://openairdocs.org/model/downer-bellanca-14-19-2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOWNER BELLANCA 14-19-2
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 678 total, 31 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA051) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111101024989A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT OF N711W WAS FLYING FROM PLAINVIEW, TEXAS TO BORGER, TEXAS.  APPROXIMATELY 22 MILES FROM BORGER AS THE PILOT STARTED A DESCENT HE DECIDED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND AS HE LEVELED OFF THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART BUT THE ATTEMPT FAILED AND HE LANDED IN A FIELD 6 MILES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. IN THE INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PILOT HAD FAILED TO CHANGE THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE TANK THAT HAD FUEL IN IT. THE PILOT LATER REALIZED THAT DURING THE ENGINE FAILURE HE HAD REACHED FOR THE WRONG KNOB TO ATTEMPT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS. THIS PILOT ERROR CAUSED HIM TO DO AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN12CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA051), Nov 1, 2011: Downer Bellanca 14-19-2 (N711W), Borger, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s diverted attention with the broken fuel gauge…

## Other reports on N711W (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19830730052359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830730052359I), Jul 30, 1983: Blanca 14192 (N711W), Lexington, KY, Minor damage. Pilot reported radio problems. Diverted from controlled airport to a Private strip. Landed gear up.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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