# NTSB FTW83LA141: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5042J, Roswell, NM, March 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1983, 19:07 local (Mar 7, 1983, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Roswell, NM
- Coordinates: 33.640903, -104.380073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6409&lon=-104.3801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA141

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS THE ACFT WAS ON BASE LEG FOR LANDING. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE FULL POWER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN UMIMPROVED AREA APRX 2 MI FROM THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT A LARGE WOODEN FENCE POST BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO STOP. APRX 1 GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL TANKS DURING A POST-CRASH INVESTIGATION. THE FUEL CAPACITY WAS 40 GAL, OF WHICH, .77 GAL WAS UNUSABLE. AFTER THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT (FROM ROSWELL, NM TO ADDISION, TX), 27 GAL OF FUEL WAS ADDED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED FULL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL DURING HIS PREFLIGHT. APRX 10 MIN PRIOR TO ARRIVAL AT ROSWELL, THE RIGHT TANK INDICATED EMPTY & THE LEFT TANK INDICATED ABOUT 1/8 FULL. THE TOTAL ELAPSED TIME OF THE FLIGHT WAS 3 HRS & 42 MIN IN ADDITION TO A 20 MIN GROUND DELAY AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5042J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5042J), registered now, S/N 501-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 501-79
- Airframe hours: 393
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred J. Schlicher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1981, 166 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Airport: ROW, Roswell Industrial, runway 21, 13,000 × 300 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,653 total, 160 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROW

## 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 19830306007619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306007619A), Mar 6, 1983: Bbavia 8KCAB, Roswell, NM, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel approaching destination. Struck a fence post landing off airport. Failed to visually check 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.

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