# NTSB CEN11LA381: Bellanca 17-30A, N93650, Canton, TX, June 8, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2011, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Canton, TX - Coordinates: 32.54092, -95.85958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5409&lon=-95.8596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 80721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA381 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA381 ## Probable cause The loss of fuel pressure for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1220433), [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-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he performed a normal preflight and run-up of the airplane prior to departure. Shortly after takeoff, the engine’s fuel pressure went to zero. The pilot switched to the right fuel tank and turned on the boost pump but still did not get any fuel pressure. He then turned the airplane back toward the airport and prepared for an engine-out forced landing. During the forced landing in a field, the airplane’s right wing struck the terrain. Fuel was present at the accident site. After the airplane was recovered, the engine-driven fuel pump was removed and examined; no abnormalities were noted, and the pump’s drive coupling was found intact. The rod end bearing connecting the throttle control to the engine’s fuel control was found disconnected. The attaching bolt was damaged, and the nut was not located. Examination of the bolt revealed signatures that were consistent with the bolt and nut being in place at the time of the accident. A reason for the loss of fuel pressure was not found. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2011, about 0815 central daylight time, a Bellanca, 17-30A airplane, N93650, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after departure from the Thompson Field Airport (1TA7), Canton, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant, received only minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he departed the airport after having preformed a normal preflight and run-up. Additionally, he reported that on climb-out from the airport, the fuel pressure went to zero. He switched to the right fuel tank and turned on the boost pump, but still did not get any fuel pressure. He then turned the airplane back towards the airport and prepared for an engine-out, forced landing. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that fuel was present in the airplane’s fuel tanks. The inspector also added that the airplane was heavily damaged in the forced landing, including separation of the right wing from the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered and a follow-up exam was conducted at a salvage yard. The engine driven fuel pump was removed from the airplane; no abnormalities were noted with the pump or the pump’s drive coupling; which was intact. The exam found the rod end connecting the throttle control to the engine’s fuel control disconnected. The rod end and bolt (AN3) were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination. The lab found the bolt’s threads were damaged in at least three different patterns. The bolt threads were also heavily flattened and deformed for the entire threaded length. Extraneous metal shavings were found in the thread roots, between several wave deformed threads. The corresponding nut for the AN bolt was not located. No other abnormalities were found with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93650](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93650-2018-01-30), registration cancelled 2018-01-30, S/N 74-30658, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 74-30658 - Airframe hours: 2710 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2010 - Departed: 1TA7, Canton, TX - Destination: 1TA7, Canton, TX - Airport: 1TA7, Thompson Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,280 total, 700 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KJDD, 20 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 20110608015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110608015909A), Jun 8, 2011: Bellanca 17-30A, Edgewood, TX, Destroyed. On June 6 2011, about 0810 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N93650, s/n 74-30658 departed on runway 13 at thompson field (1TA7) Edgewood, TX with a… ## Other investigations on N93650 (1) 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 CHI80DEG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEG08), Feb 1, 1980: Bellanca 17-30A (N93650), Greenville, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80721. 9.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 12-022 (8 images) (item 3, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2012-022%20(8%20images)-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo: Airplane wreckage (FAA photo) (item 6, .PDF, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Airplane%20wreckage%20%20%20%20(FAA%20photo)-Master.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.