# NTSB FTW95LA242: Bellanca 14-19, N1299R, Fort Stockton, TX, June 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1995, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Fort Stockton, TX - Coordinates: 30.889276, -102.880332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8893&lon=-102.8803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19452/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA242 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR TO A TANK WITH UNUSABLE FUEL. 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) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis TEN MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 1,000 FT AGL, THE PILOT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT WING MAIN FUEL TANK TO THE RIGHT WING AUX TANK, BUT DID NOT HAVE FUEL FLOW INDICATIONS AND THE ENGINE 'BOGGED' DOWN. AFTER INITIATING A DESCENT, HE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT MAIN WING TANK AND ATTEMPTED TO OPERATED THE FUEL BOOST PUMP, BUT COULD NOT 'OBTAIN' FUEL FLOW. THE PILOT THEN SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT MAIN WING TANK AND THE ENGINE 'STOPPED.' DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED APPROXIMATELY 12 GALS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, 4 GALS IN THE LEFT MAIN WING TANK, AND 2 GALS IN THE RIGHT WING AUX TANK. BOTH THE LEFT WING AUX TANK AND THE FUSELAGE AUX TANK WERE EMPTY. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS, THE WING AUX FUEL TANK(S) CAPACITY IS 17 GALS, OF WHICH 15 GALS IS USABLE. THE BOOST PUMP OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A GROUND TEST. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1995, approximately 1510 central daylight time, a Bellanca 260C, N1299R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power near Fort Stockton, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The personal cross country flight originated at Fort Stockton Municipal Airport at 1500 and was en route to Monahans, Texas. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that, after departing Fort Stockton, and climbing through 1,000 feet above ground level, he switched from the right main tank to the right wing auxiliary tank and engaged the electric fuel boost pump. He further stated that he did not "hear the pump nor see the fuel flow needle advance." The pilot then switched to the left main fuel tank and "the engine bogged down." After initiating a descent, he continued to attempt to "obtain fuel flow" with the boost pump and switched back to the right main fuel tank. Subsequently, the engine "stopped" and the pilot executed a forced landing. Upon landing, the airplane's left wing was structurally damaged. On scene examination of fuel system components revealed a 5-tank system; 2 main wing tanks, 2 wing auxiliary tanks (interconnected), and 1 fuselage auxiliary tank. According to manufacturer's specifications, the fuel capacity for each main wing tanks is 19 gallons, of which 15.5 gallons is usable. Wing auxiliary tank capacity is 17 gallons, of which 15 gallons is usable. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector found approximately 12 gallons of fuel in the right main wing tank, 4 gallons in the left main wing tank, and 2 gallons in the right wing auxiliary tank. Both the left wing auxiliary tank and the fuselage auxiliary tank were observed to be empty. Additionally, the electric fuel boost pump operated normally on a ground test after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1299R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1299R-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 4341, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CS-135717-8 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Felts - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1994, 47 hours before - Departed: FST - Destination: E01, MONAHANS, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 396 total, 313 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19950613048309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950613048309A), Jun 13, 1995: Blanca 14193, Fort Stockton, TX, Substantial damage. Mr. Felts departed Fort Stockton-;ecos co airport with the fuel selector on the right main tank. At approximately 1000 feet AGL., he switched fuel tanks to the… ## Other investigations on N1299R (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR12LA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA394), Aug 30, 2012: Bellanca 14-19-3 (N1299R), Healdsburg, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the engine-driven fuel pump as a result of unidentified debris within the vapor return jet. - [NTSB CHI71FGG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FGG08), Jul 19, 1970: Bellanca 14-19 (N1299R), Athens, OH, incident, minor damage 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.