# NTSB ATL87LA260: Bellanca 17-30A, N7378V, Louisville, KY, September 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1987, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.219009, -85.679435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2190&lon=-85.6794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA260

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO LAND AND DURING HIS 2ND GO AROUND THE ENG CUT OUT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM LEFT TANK TO RT TANK BUT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENG PRIOR TO MAKING A FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A HOUSE AND TREE. THE PLTS RPT STATES THAT TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BE MADE ON RT TANK WHEN USING LEFT TRAFFIC. ALSO NO STEEP TURNS INTO TANK BEING USED. THE PLT ALSO SAID THAT FUEL WAS MANAGED TO ARRIVE AT DEST ON FULLEST/RT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7378V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7378V-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 30233, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30233
- Airframe hours: 2028
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin L. Gingery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1987, 114 hours before
- Departed: 71J, OZARK, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Bowman Field, runway 24, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,182 total, 28 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 19870916081329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870916081329A), Sep 16, 1987: Blanca 1730, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Engine quit while making a steep turn to final. Low fuel unported in tank. Aircraft struck trees and a house.

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.

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