# NTSB ATL83LA169: Bellanca 17-30, N199V, Prestonburg, KY, April 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1983, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Prestonburg, KY
- Coordinates: 37.669139, -82.760841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6691&lon=-82.7608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA169

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN FUELED TO ITS CAPACITY OF 72 GAL. APRX 3 1/2 HRS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG QUIT WHILE FUEL WAS BEING USED FROM THE LEFT MAIN TANK. AT THAT TIME, THE PLT KNEW THAT THE AUX TANKS WERE EMPTY, BUT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS 5 GAL REMAINING IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK & 15 GAL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, PUSHED THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN, ACTIVATED THE PRIME SYSTEM & CYCLED THE MAGNETOS OFF & ON, BUT TO NO AVAIL. SUBSEQUENTLY, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT BROKE THRU A FENCE & STRUCK 2 COWS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN (20 GAL) FUEL TANK WAS APRX 3/4 FULL, BUT ALL OF THE OTHER TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT USED AN AVERAGE OF APRX 14 GAL/HR. THIS WOULD HAVE USED 49 OF THE 64 GAL OF USABLE FUEL & ACCOUNT FOR THE 15 GAL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. TO PREVENT FLOODING DURING AN ENG START, THE FUELBOOST PUMP (PRIMER) MUST BE TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER FUEL PRESSURE IS RESTORED. TIME OF PRIMER USAGE, NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N199V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30150
- Airframe hours: 2309
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick P. Junod
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 17 hours before
- Departed: DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: HTG, HUNTINGTON, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 638 total, 134 in this make and model, 552 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830422015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830422015159A), Apr 22, 1983: Blanca 1730, Prestonsburg, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to restart engine after running fuel tank dry. Crash occurred during emergency landing.

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.