# NTSB CHI93LA128: Bellanca 7GCBC, N88384, Bismarck, ND, March 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1993, 22:22 local (Mar 11, 1993, 04:22 UTC)
- Place: Bismarck, ND
- Coordinates: 46.819881, -100.700851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8199&lon=-100.7009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE EN ROUTE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED GRAND ISLAND WITH FULL FUEL AND CALCULATIONS INDICATED AN EN ROUTE FUEL STOP WOULD BE REQUIRED. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT RECALCULATED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND ELECTED NOT TO MAKE THE FUEL STOP BUT TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED DURING THE LANDING APPROACH AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD DURING WHICH THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88384](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88384), registered now, S/N 774-75, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 774-75
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leroy E. Nielsen
- Registered owner: Leroy E. Nielsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: GRI, GRAND ISLAND, NE
- Airport: BIS, Bismarck Municipal, runway 31

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,000 total, 251 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS, 3 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 19930310051859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930310051859A), Mar 10, 1993: Bbavia 7GCBC, Bismarck, ND, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route after over flying planned fuel stop three miles short of destination.

## Other investigations on N88384 (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 CHI96LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA064), Dec 28, 1995: Bellanca 7GCBC (N88384), Munich, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot allowed his airspeed to get too low and encountered a stall/mush condition. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot not being able to maintain directional control due to misuse…

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.