# NTSB CEN23LA101: Bellanca 7ACA, N9111L, Bayport, MN, February 4, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 4, 2023, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Bayport, MN - Coordinates: 44.995739, -92.813886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9957&lon=-92.8139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106684/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106684 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot’s poor inflight fuel monitoring that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ACA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1220438), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before departure he checked the fuel level in the wing fuel tanks with a dip stick and the level correlated to about 24 gallons of fuel. After departure, he flew for about 3 hours. While approaching the destination airport, the engine started to run rough and then lost all power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a snow-covered field about 3 miles from the airport. The left wing collided with a tree during the forced landing and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings during the impact. A postaccident examination found that the left-wing fuel cap was missing and the fuel tank was void of fuel; however, there was no evidence of fuel leaking from the left fuel tank nor was there fuel evidence on the ground or in the snow. The fuel tank was not compromised. The fuel cap was not located during a search of the accident site or of the fueling location; however, it is most likely that the fuel cap separated during the impact with the tree. During recovery of the airplane, when the right wing was cut at the root, a fire ignited and consumed a portion of the right wing and investigators were unable to determine the amount of fuel in the right wing. A detailed engine and airframe examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The accident flight departed with ample fuel for the flight. Given the empty left fuel tank and the lack of evidence to support a fuel leak, it is most likely that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. During the accident sequence the seatbelt failed with a separation of the threading at the “Y” junction. The date of manufacturing stamp on the shoulder harness restraint was December 15, 2017. The shoulder harness label stated that the restraint system was an FAA-PMA part with a rated strength assembly of 1,500 pounds. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2023, about 1630 central standard time, a Bellanca Aircraft 7ACA, N9111L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bayport, Minnesota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that before departure he checked the fuel level in the wing fuel tanks with a dip stick and the level correlated to about 24 gallons. After departure from Lake Elmo Airport (21D), Lake Elmo, Minnesota, he flew for about 3 hours and had estimated an average burn rate of 6 gallons per hour. While approaching 21D, the engine started to run rough and then lost all power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a snow-covered field about 3 miles from 21D. The left wing collided with a tree during the forced landing and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings during the impact. A postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration found that the left-wing fuel cap was missing and the fuel tank was void of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel on the ground or in the surrounding snow nor was there any aft streaking fuel stain on the wing near the fuel port. The fuel cap was not located during a search of the area or of the fueling location at 21D. The left fuel tank was not compromised. During recovery of the airplane, when the right wing was cut at the root, a fire ignited and consumed a portion of the right wing and investigators were unable to determine the amount of fuel in the right wing. During the accident sequence the seatbelt, an Aero Fabricators Model No. H-702-300, failed with a separation of the threading at the “Y” junction. The date of manufacturing stamp on the shoulder harness restraint was December 15, 2017. The shoulder harness label stated that the restraint system was an FAA-PMA part with a rated strength assembly of 1,500 pounds. During a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9111L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9111L-2023-10-10), registration cancelled 2023-10-10, S/N 2-71, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ACA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 2A4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-2a4-series) (registry code 27001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2-71 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 1391 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Holman Hobos Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Holman Hobos Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2022, 23 hours before - Departed: 21D, Lake Elmo, MN - Destination: Bayport, MN - Airport: 21D - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 6, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 540 total, 24 in this make and model, 481 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: K21D, 3 nm away - METAR: K21D 042215Z AUTO 18008KT 10SM SCT100 M03/M09 A2980 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230204003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230204003119A), Feb 4, 2023: Bellanca 7ACA, Lake Elmo, MN, Substantial damage. On February 4th, 2023 the private pilot (PIC) was conducting a time building/proficiency flight in N9111L. The PIC stated that the fuel tanks had approximately… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106684. 85.4 MB in all. - Electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15720964&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA101%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 2, CSV, 681 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15721240&FileExtension=csv&FileName=CEN23LA101%20Attachment%201%20to%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.csv - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 3, PDF, 13 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16008493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 107 pages, 75.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16009353&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airworthiness%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - CEN23LA101 survival factors specialist report (item 6, PDF, 11 pages, 10 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16065538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA101%20Survival%20Factors%20Specialist%20Report-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16085928&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007759&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.