# NTSB CHI85LA307: Bellanca 17-30, N7315V, Sheboygan, WI, July 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Sheboygan, WI
- Coordinates: 43.699306, -87.73912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6993&lon=-87.7391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA307

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER IN CRUISE FLT. THE PLT REPORTED HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT TANK, & AFTER APRX 3 MINUTES, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. HE STATED THAT REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE FUTILE. HE NOTED THAT AFTER THE POWER LOSS, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED OFF. WHEN HE TURNED ON THE AUX FUEL PUMP, THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESSURE INDICATION. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK CONTAINED 6 1/2 INCHES OF FUEL & THE LEFT MAIN TANK CONTAINED 1 1/4 INCHES OF FUEL (MAIN TANKS PLACARDED 19 GAL CAPACITY). BOTH THE LEFT & RIGHT AUX TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7315V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7315V), registered now, S/N 30164, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30164
- Airframe hours: 1530
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernie Huensch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WASHINGTON IS, WI
- Destination: SBM, SHEBOYGAN, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 10 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 19850721040589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721040589A), Jul 21, 1985: Blanca 1730, Sheboygan, WI, Substantial damage. After switching tanks engine quit. Collided with ditch on landing. Probably air in fuel lines.

## Other investigations on N7315V (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 ATL81FIG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FIG11), Jun 7, 1981: Bellanca 17-30 (N7315V), Royal Oak, MD, substantial damage

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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