# NTSB CEN11LA189: Bellanca 14-19-2, N7655B, Hueco Tanks, TX, February 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2011, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Hueco Tanks, TX - Coordinates: 31.702222, -105.666389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7022&lon=-105.6664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 21, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78353/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78353 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA189 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while in cruise flight, he observed a low fuel pressure indication and the engine lost power. He utilized the manual fuel pump and switched fuel tanks in attempt to restore power without success. The pilot made a forced landing in a field, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident engine test run was conducted. The engine started without hesitation and was eventually accelerated to a maximum rpm of 2,650. Below 1,200 rpm the number six cylinder would not produce power. During the engine run, both the engine driven fuel pump and manual fuel pump provided sufficient fuel pressure to run the engine. A check of the forward fuel selector disclosed that the selector appeared jammed and would not rotate; the rear fuel selector rotated freely. A reason for the loss of power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2011, approximately 0945 central standard time, a Bellanca 14-19-2, N7655B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hueco Tanks, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The cross country flight departed Lubbock, Texas, approximately 0745 and was en route to El Paso, Texas. According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, while in cruise flight, he observed a low fuel pressure indication and subsequently the engine lost power. The pilot utilized the wobble pump and switched fuel tanks in attempt to restore power without success. During the forced landing both main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the left and right wings were bent. The airplane wreckage was retrieved and a post accident engine run was conducted. The engine was run on the airframe utilizing an external fuel source attached to the left side fuel system. A replacement propeller was installed and the carburetor airbox was removed. The engine started without hesitation and was eventually accelerated to a maximum rpm of 2,650. Below 1,200 rpm the number six cylinder would not produce power. The source of this anomaly could not be established. During the engine run, both the engine driven fuel pump and wobble pump provided sufficient fuel pressure to run the engine. A check of the forward fuel selector disclosed that the selector appeared jammed and would not rotate; the rear fuel selector rotated freely. A compression test after the engine run revealed compression results of 76/80, 68/80, 74/80, 74/80, 76/80, and 78/80 for the number one through six cylinders respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7655B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7655B-2023-04-21), registration cancelled 2023-04-21, S/N 4006, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19-2 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-2) (registry code 3080104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4006 - Airframe hours: 2554 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2010 - Departed: KLBB, Lubbock, TX - Destination: KELP, El Paso, TX - Airport: None, None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 584 total, 10 in this make and model, 524 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KGDP ## 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 20110214002039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110214002039A), Feb 14, 2011: Bellanca 14-19-2, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. P.I.c departed lubbock, TX (lbb) for El Paso, TX (elp) for re-fuel stop. Engine lost power while in cruise, 33 miles east of elp. PIC in contact with elp ATCT.… ## Other investigations on N7655B (2) 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. - [NTSB CEN22LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA207), May 19, 2022: Bellanca Cruisemaster (N7655B), Gainesville, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction with the wind gusts. - [NTSB MIA72FKG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKG56), Nov 28, 1971: Bellanca 14-19 (N7655B), Cairo, GA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78353. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345694&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Engine Run Report - CEN11LA189 (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Run%20Report%20-%20CEN11LA189-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.