# NTSB CHI92LA204: Bellanca 17-30A, N6617V, Ortonville, MI, July 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1992, 16:26 local (20:26 UTC)
- Place: Ortonville, MI
- Coordinates: 42.850471, -83.440971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8505&lon=-83.4410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA204

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR SWITCH AND INADEQUATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE HAD JUST CANCELED AN IFR CLEARANCE AND WAS DESCENDING IN VFR CONDITIONS WHEN HE LOST ENGINE POWER AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEET AGL.  HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY TO ATC AND UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE.  HE GAVE UP THE RESTART ATTEMPTS AND REMEMBERS THINKING; 'I'VE GOT TO STOP PLAYING WITH IT AND LAND THIS THING.'  HE REMEMBERS TURNING THE MAIN FUEL SWITCH OFF JUST BEFORE THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TREETOPS.  AN AFTER ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS IN THE AIRFRAME.  NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE NOTED IN THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN INFLIGHT STOPPAGE.  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED THE MAIN FUEL SWITCH OFF AND THE SECONDARY AUXILIARY FUEL TANK SELECTOR SWITCH SELECTED TO AN EMPTY AUXILIARY TANK.  FUEL WAS PRESENT IN ALL OF THE MAIN FUEL TANKS AND THE OTHER AUXILIARY TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6617V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6617V-1995-05-11), registration cancelled 1995-05-11, S/N 30271 (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: 30271
- Airframe hours: 1159
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loft Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Loft Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1991, 123 hours before
- Departed: HTL, HOUGHTON LAKE, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,120 total, 560 in this make and model, 6,120 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 17 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 19920711024829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920711024829A), Jul 11, 1992: Blanca 1730A, Ortonville, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Crash landed in trees. Fuel selector on off. Aux selected to left empty aux. Fuel other tanks.

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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