# NTSB BFO85FA051: Bellanca 17-30A, N93533, College Park, MD, June 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1985, 20:48 local (Jun 22, 1985, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: College Park, MD
- Coordinates: 38.989421, -76.930648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9894&lon=-76.9306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA051

## 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
  - fuel system,cap - loose (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - inadequate (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - performed, pilot in command
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BFR FLT, THE PLT OBTAINED FUEL SAMPLES THRU THE REMOTELY OPERATED GASCOLATOR, BUT DETECTED NO WATER. NO SAMPLES COULD BEDRAWN DIRECTLY FM THE WING OR FUSELAGE TANKS SINCE THEY HAD NO QUICK DRAINS INSTALLED. A PWR LOSS OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF AT 50 TO 100 FT AGL. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS (FROM L TO R MAIN) & ENGAGED THE BOOST PUMP. ENG PWR RETURNED AS THE ACFT STRUCK UTILITY LINES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED & HIT A FENCE BFR COMING TO REST. A SIMILAR PWRLOSS OCCURRED APRX 3 WKS EARLIER. MAINT PSNL FOUND A LOOSE L TANK FUEL CAP WHICH COULD HAVE ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO THIS TANK. A MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP FOR A TIGHT FIT. THE ACFT WAS THEN FLOWN TWICE, PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, WITH NO EVIDENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL OR OTHER DISCREPANCIES. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ACDNT, DIRECT ACCESS TO THE L MAIN TANK REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER WHICH WAS COLORED PINK. PINK STAINS WERE ALSO PRESENT ON THE TANK WALL ABOVE THE AFT FUEL OUTLET PORT. THE OUTLET PORTS OF THE INTERCONNECTED MAIN TANK CELLS WERE 3/8 TO 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE TANK BOTTOMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93533](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93533-1988-08-16), registration cancelled 1988-08-16, S/N 7330575 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73-30575
- Airframe hours: 1652
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William D. Breneman
- Registered owner: J And B Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 30 hours before
- Airport: CGS, College Park, runway 33, 2,740 × 40 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: 3,187 total, 468 in this make and model, 2,235 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 10 nm away

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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