# NTSB DEN89LA012: Bellanca 8KCAB, N102EC, Pueblo, CO, October 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1988, 17:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: Pueblo, CO
- Coordinates: 38.360576, -104.769485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3606&lon=-104.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA012

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT & HIS PVT PLT WIFE WERE FLYING X-COUNTRY ON VACATION. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & LOST POWER. DRG AN EMERGENCY DSCNT, THE PLT RESTARTED THE ENG & INITIATED A CLIMB TO SELECT A BETTER LNDG SITE, BUT THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN. EFFORTS TO RESTART THE ENG A 2ND TIME FAILED. AN EMERGENCY LNDG WAS MADE TO THE WEST ON A GRAVEL ROAD WITH A GUSTY X-WIND FROM THE NORTH. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG THE LNDG ROLL, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & THE PLANE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CROSSED A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. DRG A POST ACDNT INSPN, NO FUEL WASFOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK & LESS THAN 2 QUARTS WAS REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. DRG AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT STARTED & RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N102EC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 372-78
- Airframe hours: 819
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clark Aviation
- Registered owner: Rittenhouse, Kenneth P. Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Destination: OV2, SALIDA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial, foreign, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,850 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,650 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881008048409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881008048409A), Oct 8, 1988: Bbavia 8KCAB, Pueblo, CO, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Landed on a road,lost control in gusty wind and ran into a ditch.

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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