# NTSB ATL97LA045: Bellanca 17-30, N7312V, Aikens, SC, March 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 1997, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Aikens, SC - Coordinates: 33.539676, -81.719665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5397&lon=-81.7197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA045 ## Probable cause excessive wear of the fuel metering unit/shaft, which resulted in a fuel leak and premature exhaustion of the fuel supply. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fuel system,fuel control - worn (cause) - fuel system,fuel control - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot experienced a loss of engine power en route to his destination. He initiated an emergency descent for a forced landing. The airplane collided with two trees in the intended landing area. According to the pilot, the airplane had a fuel endurance of 4.8 hours, and he had flown about 3.0 hours since the last refueling. Examination of the engine assembly disclosed that there was a fuel leak around the shaft in the metering unit. The nature of the leak was a steady stream, such that, it was not possible to flow test the unit. Smaller leaks were also found in the fuel pump from the shaft seal and the adjustable orifice o-ring. The control linkage on the fuel metering unit and the throttle body were excessively worn. No fuel was recovered from the fuel system during on-site examination. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 1997, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Bellanca BL26, N7312V, collided with trees while maneuvering for a forced landing in a field eight miles east of Aikens, South Carolina. The business flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage; the pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight departed Raleigh, North Carolina, at 1430. The pilot reported that he was returning to Augusta, Georgia, when the engine lost power near Aikens. He initiated an emergency descent for a forced landing. As he maneuvered for a landing in a nearby field, the airplane collided with two trees in the intended landing area. According to the pilot, the airplane has a fuel endurance of 4.8 hours and he had flown about 3.0 hours since the last refueling. The examination of the engine assembly disclosed that there was a fuel leak around the shaft in the metering unit. The nature of the leak was a steady stream, such that, it was not possible to flow test the unit. Smaller leaks were also found in the fuel pump from the shaft seal and the adjustable orifice o-ring (see attached report of the engine examination).The control linkage on the fuel metering unit and the throttle body was excessively worn. No fuel was recovered from the fuel system during the on site examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7312V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7312V-1999-12-09), registration cancelled 1999-12-09, S/N 30167 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30 - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30167 - Airframe hours: 1877 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1996, 35 hours before - Departed: KRDU, RALEIGH, NC - Destination: DNL, AUGUSTA, GA - Airport: 49J, Twin Lakes, runway 21, 4,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 503 total, 54 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 17 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 19970305046269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970305046269A), Mar 5, 1997: Trenton, SC, No damage. (-23) No narrative. 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.