# NTSB FTW85LA289: Bellanca 14-19-3, N7620E, Gatesville, TX, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Gatesville, TX
- Coordinates: 31.440923, -97.729774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4409&lon=-97.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA289

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,pump - leak (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
  - ignition system,magneto - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inad cockpit/workplace,fumes/smoke, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER EXECUTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING AN INFLIGHT FIRE AND ENG FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT SMELLED ELECTRICAL INSULATION OVERHEATING AND NOTICED A DECREASE IN FUEL PRESSURE. FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENG COWL. THE ACFT WAS LANDED HARD DUE TO RESTRICTED VISIBIITY FROM SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT. SUSPECT THAT THE SEAL ON THE ENG MOUNTED FUEL PUMP FAILED ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE PUMP HOUSING FIRE DAMAGE TO THE PUMP PRECLUDED EXACT IDENTIFICATION OF THE FAILURE MODE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7620E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19-3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4122
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David E. Brittian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1984, 75 hours before
- Destination: 7F7, CLIFTON, TX
- Airport: 05F, Gateville Municipal, runway 18, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 526 total, 300 in this make and model, 526 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 20 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 19850717036349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717036349A), Jul 17, 1985: Blanca 14193, Gatesville, TX, Destroyed. Fire after takeoff with loss of fuel pressure. Destroyed by fire after return to runway. Out of annual inspection.

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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