# NTSB ATL06LA130: Bellanca 14-13-2, N74475, Ellijay, GA, September 25, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2006, 18:29 local (22:29 UTC) - Place: Ellijay, GA - Coordinates: 34.6161111111111, -84.4430555555556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6161&lon=-84.4431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64599/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA130 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Also causal was the mechanic's failure to ensure the aircraft's fuel system was free of contamination while performing an annual inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - contamination - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,gascolator - blocked(total) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he flew over his residence and was heading back to the airport at about 3,200 feet mean sea level when the engine lost power. He said he was able to restart it several times, but it would only run for a few seconds each time. He chose a field to do a forced landing, but did not have enough altitude to clear a tree line. The airplane collided with the trees and came to rest inverted in a private residential driveway. Examination of the engine assembly revealed the engine remained intact and attached to the engine mounts. The propeller was rotated by hand and engine continuity was established through to the accessory section. Closer examination of the engine compartment found that the airplane was equipped with an automotive starter relay, automotive battery and an automotive fuel boost pump. Additionally, automotive fuel was observed in the fuel tanks and fuel lines. The pilot confirmed that he operated the airplane using automotive fuel. Examination of the logbooks found no approvals for the use of automotive fuel. Further examination of the fuel system including disassembly of the carburetor, gascolator and boost pump found contamination of both the gascolator and boost pump. The contamination consisted of insect parts and a sandy substance similar to dirt. The sandy substance was observed caked and blocking the stand pipe in the fuel gascolator which would have prevented fuel from reaching the carburetor resulting in a loss of engine power. Examination of the engine logbooks found that the airplane had received an annual inspection on August 19, 2006, and had logged 4.4 hours since that inspection. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 2006, at 1829 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 14-13-2, N74475, registered to a private individual and operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Ellijay, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot reported minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Pickens County Airport in Jasper, Georgia, on September 25, 2006 at 1815. According to the pilot, he flew over his residence and was heading back to the airport at about 3,200 feet mean sea level when the engine lost power. He said he was able to restart it several times, but it would only run for a few seconds each time. He chose a field to do a forced landing in but did not have enough altitude to clear a tree line. The airplane collided with the trees and came to rest inverted in a private residential driveway. The pilot egresses the airplane with only a minor head injury. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector found the airplane inverted with both wings partially separated. The airplane was recovered and a subsequent examination of the engine was performed on October 5, 2006. Present during the examination was an FAA Inspector and an NTSB Investigator. Examination of the engine assembly revealed the engine remained intact and attached to the engine mounts. The propeller was rotated by hand and engine continuity was established through to the accessory section. Closer examination of the engine compartment found that the airplane was equipped with an automotive starter relay, automotive battery and an automotive fuel boost pump. Additionally, automotive fuel was observed in the fuel tanks and fuel lines. The pilot confirmed that he operated the airplane using automotive fuel. Examination of the logbooks found no approvals for the use of automotive fuel. Further examination of the fuel system including disassembly of the carburetor, gascolator and boost pump found contamination of both the gascolator and boost pump. The contamination consisted of insect parts and a sandy substance similar to dirt. The sandy substance was observed caked and blocking the stand pipe in the fuel gascolator. Examination of the engine logbooks found that the airplane had received an annual inspection on August 19, 2006, and had logged 4.4 hours since that inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74475-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 1588, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 14-13-2 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13-2) (registry code 1201004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1588 - Airframe hours: 4278.4 - Engines: Lycoming O435-C 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard C Spears - Registered owner: Charles D. Troutman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2006, 4.4 hours before - Departed: JZP, Jasper, GA - Destination: JZP, Jasper, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 20 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060925023789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060925023789A), Sep 25, 2006: Blanca 14132, Ellijay, GA, Destroyed. (-23) On 9/25/2006, at approximately 1830, aircraft registration N74475, piloted by [privacy data omitted] experienced engine problems and attempted to make an… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.