# NTSB ERA24LA122: Bellanca 17-30A, N282SV, Cape Coral, FL, February 24, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 24, 2024, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Cape Coral, FL
- Coordinates: 26.728683, -81.952316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7287&lon=-81.9523&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193843/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193843
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA122

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s failure to properly secure a fuel supply line.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/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: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner of the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to ensure that recent maintenance performed on the airplane was satisfactory. According to the pilot and maintenance log entries, the left magneto and harness was replaced with an electronic magneto and new harness, the engine mounts were replaced, the engine-driven fuel pump was replaced with an overhauled unit, and the engine fuel hoses “firewall forward” were replaced. The pilot stated that he replaced the fuel lines. About five minutes after takeoff on the accident flight, the engine lost total power at an altitude of 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot was unable to restore engine power and elected to land in a residential neighborhood; however, during the approach, the airplane contacted powerlines before it touched down in the grass of a divided highway and skidded into the roadway. A test run of the engine was performed following the accident. Initially, the engine would not start, and a significant fuel leak was found at the fuel line from the throttle body to the fuel manifold. The fuel line was found to be less than finger tight, and when secured, the engine started immediately and operated at various power settings without anomalies. Based on this information, it is likely that, following this replacement of the fuel hoses, the pilot failed to properly secure the fuel line from the throttle body to the fuel manifold, which resulted in a fuel leak, fuel starvation, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On February 24, 2024, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N282SV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cape Coral, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The pilot/owner of the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to ensure that recent maintenance performed on the airplane was satisfactory. According to the pilot and maintenance log entries, the left magneto and harness was replaced with an electronic magneto and new harness, the engine mounts were replaced, the engine-driven fuel pump was replaced with an overhauled unit, and the engine fuel hoses “firewall forward” were replaced. The pilot stated that he replaced the fuel lines. The pilot departed from Pine Shadows Airpark (94FL), Fort Meyers, Florida, and was airborne for about 5 minutes when the engine lost total power at an altitude of 1,500 ft msl. The pilot changed power settings and used the fuel boost pump, but there was no change in the engine’s power output. He then elected to land in a residential neighborhood; however, during the approach, the airplane contacted powerlines before it touched down in the grass of a divided highway and came to rest on the roadway. The pilot stated that the airplane contained 84 gallons of fuel in the tanks at the time of the takeoff and it had not flown or been refueled since December 2023. He performed a full preflight inspection the night before the accident; the fuel tanks were sampled at that time with no contamination noted. The pilot stated that, before takeoff, he completed an engine runup with no problems noted and all three fuel gauges showed “full.” The pilot did not have any difficulties starting the engine. The wreckage was recovered to an aircraft salvage facility where an examination of the airframe and engine was performed. Fuel was supplied at the fuel pump inlet from an external source with automotive gasoline. The fuel pump return was re-routed to the external source. The engine would not start, and a fuel leak was observed from the back of the engine. Further inspection revealed that fuel was leaking from the cooling shroud of the fuel metering throttle body. The cooling shroud was removed and the fuel line from the throttle body to the fuel manifold was found looser than finger tight. The line was tightened. An engine start was attempted, and the engine started immediately. The engine idled smoothly. The throttle was advanced to 1,700 rpm, and a magneto check was performed. Both magnetos produced an acceptable rpm drop. Throttle was advanced to approximately 2,000 rpm. The engine ran smoothly, and the throttle was reduced to idle power to conclude the test.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N282SV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N282SV-2025-12-20), registration cancelled 2025-12-20, S/N 98-301026, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 98-301026
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 725
- Engines: TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS IO-550-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2023
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 94FL, Pine Shadows Airpark, runway 09/27, 3,195 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review April 23, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,743 total, 290 in this make and model, 10,743 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 10 nm away
- METAR: KFMY 241453Z 36008KT 10SM CLR 21/11 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP170 T02060111 51025

## 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 20240224001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240224001659A), Feb 24, 2024: Bellanca 17-30A, Cape Coral, FL, Substantial damage. Bellanca, reported engine failure and landed on vogiantzis parkway

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193843. 7.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022705&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01_ERA24LA122%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18081473&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02_ERA24LA122%20Pilot%20Interview%20MOR-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 896 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022092&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04_ERA24LA122%20FAA%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Fuel receipts (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05_ERA24LA122%20Fuel%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photos (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022460&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06_ERA24LA122%20Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Wreckage examination summary (item 6, PDF, 17 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18081862&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA122%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Examination-Rel.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.

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