# NTSB FTW85LA329: Bellanca 17-30A, N4026B, Coushatta, LA, August 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Coushatta, LA
- Coordinates: 32.020179, -93.340858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0202&lon=-93.3409&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): 21834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA329

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,nozzle - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system,nozzle - foreign object (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROX 500' AGL. IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT RAN THRU 2 FENCES DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG FUEL PUMP EJECTOR NOZZLE HAD AN 80% BLOCKAGE FROM FOREIGN MATERIAL THAT APPEARED TO BE RUST. RESTRICTION WOULD CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVER-PRESSURIZE AND CAVITATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4026B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4026B-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 75-30728 (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: 75-30728
- Airframe hours: 1534
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Green Horton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 50 hours before
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: OR7, Red River, runway 35, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 202 total, 75 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850821039899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821039899A), Aug 21, 1985: Blanca 1730A, Coushatta, LA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Hit 2 fences on landing in field. Input side of fuel pump ejector nozzle clogged with rust.

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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