# NTSB DFW08CA214: Bellanca 14-19-2, N7653B, Keller, TX, August 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2008, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Keller, TX - Coordinates: 32.966667, -97.275276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9667&lon=-97.2753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68797 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68797/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA214 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane which resulted in an attempted takeoff without fuel present in the selected fuel tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The private pilot aborted the takeoff, locked up the brakes, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and passenger were able to egress unassisted. After the accident, the pilot checked the selected left fuel tank, and found the tank to be empty. The fuel tanks had been previously filled, the airplane was flown seven days prior, and the pilot expected the left tank to be full. The pilot reported that the fuel must have been stolen prior to his flight. In addition, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had visually confirmed that fuel was present in the left tank. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The private pilot aborted the takeoff, locked up the brakes, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and passenger were able to egress unassisted. After the accident, the pilot checked the selected left fuel tank, and found the tank to be empty. The fuel tanks had been previously filled, the airplane was flown seven days prior, and the pilot expected the left tank to be full. The pilot reported that the fuel must have been stolen prior to his flight. In addition, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevent if he had visually confirmed that fuel was present in the left tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7653B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7653B), registered now, S/N 4004, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 14-19-2 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-2) (registry code 3080104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4004 - Airframe hours: 3258.8 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: 7TX4, KELLER, TX - Destination: DUC, DUNCAN, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 534 total, 124 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080824844619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080824844619A), Aug 24, 2008: Blanca 14192, Keller, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 24, 2008, at 1030 CDT, a Bellanca 14-19-2, N7653B, owned by [privacy data omitted] experienced an engine failure during takeoff on a personal… 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.