# NTSB FTW85LA219: Bellanca 17-30A, N8203R, Corsicana, TX, May 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1985, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Corsicana, TX
- Coordinates: 32.079658, -96.460281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0797&lon=-96.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER AS A RESULT OF FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT HAD SELECTED THE LEFT FUEL TANK FOR TAKEOFF. THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE TANK WAS FULL WHEN IN FACT IT WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8203R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8203R-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 30436 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30436
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary K. Greenway
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: SEP, STEPHENVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total, 156 in this make and model, 432 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Observed at: DAL

## 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 19850512020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850512020139A), May 12, 1985: Blanca 1730A, Corsicana, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff, forced landing in field. Fuel selector on empty tank, fuel quantity gauge showed full.

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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