# NTSB FTW94LA175: Bellanca 17-30A, N14773, Del Rio, TX, May 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1994, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Del Rio, TX - Coordinates: 29.370176, -100.889106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3702&lon=-100.8891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19068/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA175 ## Probable cause FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO AN EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAK RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INFLIGHT FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL PUMP. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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 - exhaust system,exhaust cone/tailpipe(jet engine) - leak (cause) - electrical system - fire (cause) - fuel system,electric boost pump - fire (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - object - fence - object - vehicle ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT NOTICED AN ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AN ENGINE SURGE. THE PILOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. HE AND A MECHANIC CHECKED THE AIRPLANE AND DECIDED THE SMELL WAS FROM A CLEANING SOLVENT ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE PILOT STARTED THE AIRPLANE AND SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE GROUND CHECKS. DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE STARTED LOOSING POWER AND THE PILOT AGAIN SMELLED THE ODOR. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN DESERT BRUSH TERRAIN THE MAIN GEAR FOLDED. THE AIRPLANE SLID 120 FEET, SPUN AROUND STRIKING A VEHICLE AND CAME TO REST. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EXHIBITED PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF LEAKING. NEAR THE EXHAUST WAS A FIRE DAMAGED BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES. THE WIRES WERE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1994, at 1625 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N14773, was substantially damage during a forced landing near Del Rio, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight. The pilot/operator reported the following information. During the takeoff initial climb from runway 13 at Del Rio, Texas, the pilot smelled an odor from the exhaust and the engine surged. The pilot switch the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and returned to the airport. Upon landing, the pilot and mechanic checked the airplane and did not find any discrepancies. They decided the smell was from a cleaning solvent on the exhaust system The engine was started and a ground run completed. The airplane again departed on runway 13. During the initial climb at 400 feet above the ground, the engine started loosing power and the pilot smelled the odor. During the forced landing in rough and uneven desert terrain, the main gear folded. The airplane skidded 120 feet, spun around, struck a vehicle and came to rest. Structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer occurred. The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) inspector obtained fuel samples from the airplane and the refueling source. Fuel samples were analyzed by Armstrong Forensic Laboratory, Inc. of Arlington, Texas. The laboratory did not disclose any significant discrepancies in the fuel samples. Their report is enclosed. An NTSB investigator examined the airplane on August 16, 1994. The exhaust system exhibited physical evidence of a leak. Electrical system wires were burned and melted. The wires were located adjacent to the fuel pump and lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14773](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14773-1994-07-14), registration cancelled 1994-07-14, S/N 7530772 (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: 75-30772 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stroud, Merle C. - Registered owner: Nixon And Stroud - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DRT - Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,100 total, 3,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DRT, 210 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 19940520011849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940520011849A), May 20, 1994: Blanca 1730A, Del Rio, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Landed rough terrain. Exhaust leak near fuel pump burned fuel pump electric wires. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.