# NTSB FTW86LA070: Bellanca 17-300, N4881V, El Paso, TX, April 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1986, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.850923, -106.529907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8509&lon=-106.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 2.6 HOURS ON THE MAIN TANKS. NORMAL OPERATING TIME ON THE MAIN TANKS IS 2.5 HOURS ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE BELLANCA VIKING 300 SERIES. AT THE CRASH SITE THE MAIN TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AND THE AUX TANKS WERE FULL. THE PLT HAD FAILED TO SWITCH FROM THE MAIN TANKS TO THE AUX TANKS. NO EVIDENCE OF ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND TO EXIT WHEN EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4881V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4881V-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 30123, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-300
- 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: 20123
- Airframe hours: 1293
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Benny F. Papridge
- Registered owner: Benny F. Papridge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1986, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,058 total, 477 in this make and model, 7,055 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 6 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 19860418014769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860418014769A), Apr 18, 1986: Blanca 1730, El Paso, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion in main tanks. Landed on sand dunes. Inadequate preflight of fuel tanks.

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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