# NTSB FTW04LA210: Bellanca BL17-30, N4700V, Austin, TX, August 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2004, 10:01 local (15:01 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Coordinates: 32.560626, -97.110252 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5606&lon=-97.1103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA210 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of the pilot's improper fuel management. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Undershoot, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 700-hour private pilot reported that the engine lost power as he was initiating his descent into his destination airport. The pilot added that he was unable to restart the engine and elected to execute a forced landing to a closed airport. During the emergency descent to the runway, the airplane landed short of the landing threshold for the closed runway. A detailed examination of the aircraft fuel system by an FAA inspector revealed that the main and auxiliary cells for the right fuel system were empty, while both the main and auxiliary cells for the left fuel system were nearly full of fuel. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2004, at 1001 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL17-30 single-engine airplane, N4700V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Austin, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A flight plan was not filed for the 171-nautical mile cross-country flight that originated from the Decatur Municipal Airport (LUD) about 0840, with Austin as its intended destination. The 700-hour pilot reported that the 300 horsepower Continental IO-520-D engine lost power as he was maneuvering the airplane to intercept the localizer course for Runway 17L at the Austin Bergstrum International Airport (AUS) near Austin, Texas. The pilot reported the engine originally responded when he activated the fuel boost pump; however, the engine lost power again after a few seconds and he was unable to restart the engine. The pilot elected to turn northbound and execute a forced landing to the "old Austin airport" (Austin-Mueller Airport), which had been closed for over 3 years at the time of the accident. During the forced landing, the airplane landed approximately 150 feet short of the landing threshold for closed runway 35. The airplane collided with a portion of the structure supporting the approach lighting system that had been removed, collapsing the landing gear. Runway 35 was reported to be 5,006-foot long and 150-foot wide asphalt runway. Examination of the 1967-model airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right wing. Additionally, all three landing gears were found collapsed. A detailed examination of the aircraft 92-gallon fuel system by the inspector revealed that the fuselage tank was half full, the main and auxiliary cells for the right fuel system were empty, while both the main and auxiliary cells for the left fuel system were nearly full of fuel. The pilot reported that all fuel tanks had been topped-off prior to his departure for the planned one hour and 20 minute flight to Austin. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4700V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4700V-2010-07-30), registration cancelled 2010-07-30, S/N 30038, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL17-30 - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30038 - Airframe hours: 3440 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2004, 65 hours before - Departed: KLUD, Decatur, TX - Destination: KAUS, Austin, TX - Airport: runway 35, 5,006 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: AUS ## 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 20040810019349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040810019349A), Aug 10, 2004: Blanca 1730, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Plane starved for fuel on ILS-17L approach to Austin bergstrom international and pilot attempted to recover by switching tanks, and then using fuel… 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.