# NTSB ERA14CA118: Bellanca 7KCAB, N103KW, Sussex, NJ, February 9, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Sussex, NJ - Coordinates: 41.2, -74.623054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2000&lon=-74.6231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88788/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88788 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## 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 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 805 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 2,290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he did not verify the quantity of fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks prior to departure. About 15 minutes into the flight, the engine began to "sputter," then experienced a total loss of power. After looking at the airplane's fuel gauges, the pilot determined that the airplane had "run out of fuel." The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing to a snow-covered field. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he did not verify the quantity of fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks prior to departure. About 15 minutes into the flight, the engine began to "sputter," then experienced a total loss of power. After looking at the airplane's fuel gauges, the pilot determined that the airplane had "run out of fuel." The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing to a snow-covered field. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103KW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103KW-2020-05-12), registration cancelled 2020-05-12, S/N 512-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 512-75 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Club Of Sussex LLC - Registered owner: Aviation Club Of Sussex LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2013 - Departed: FWN, Sussex, NJ - Destination: FWN, Sussex, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2012; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 200 total, 30 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 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 20140209002729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140209002729A), Feb 9, 2014: Bellanca 7KCAB, Vernon, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot ran aircraft out of fuel. Pilot made an off airport landing in snow covered field. Aircraft flipped onto its back. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88788. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF 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.