# NTSB IAD96LA148: Bellanca BL-26, N66PG, Bowling Green, KY, September 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1996, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Bowling Green, KY - Coordinates: 37.059112, -86.45951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0591&lon=-86.4595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28109 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28109/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA148 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations and fuel exhaustion, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while approaching the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, the engine lost power, and subsequently, the airplane crashed into a corn field 10 miles south of the airport. An examination of the airplane revealed two gallons of fuel remaining in the right fuel tank, 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the auxiliary fuel tank and about 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. There was no evidence of fuel leakage or damage to surrounding foliage. The fuel selector was found selected on the left fuel tank. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 17, 1996, at about 1245 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL-26, N66PG, sustained substantial damage after the pilot reported engine problems when it impacted terrain in a corn field 10 miles south of the airport while on approach to Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Enterprise, Alabama, at 0950 eastern daylight time. Instrument meteorological conditions existed and an IFR flight plan was filed in flight. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Neither the registered owner of the aircraft or the commercial pilot submitted a NTSB Form 6120.1/2, pilot/operator report after several requests. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assigned to the case the flight departed Enterprise, Alabama, at 0950 eastern daylight time enroute to Bowling Green-Warren county Regional Airport, Bowling Green, Kentucky. While on approach the pilot reported that the engine had failed. On scene examination of the wreckage found the fuel tanks intact with no evidence of leakage. Further examination found know fuel stains on neither the wings nor any discoloration of the nearby foliage. A visual inspection of the fuel tanks revealed two gallons of fuel remaining in the right fuel tank, 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the auxiliary tank and about 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. The throttle controls were intact and the fuel selector was set to the left fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66PG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66PG-2000-06-22), registration cancelled 2000-06-22, S/N 30057 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL-26 - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30) (registry code 1220432) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30057 - Engines: Continental reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William C. Childree - Registered owner: Don A. Mynard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EDN, ENTERPRISE, AL - Destination: BWG, KY - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: BWG, Bowling Green Warren ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BWG, 10 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 19960917028549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960917028549A), Sep 17, 1996: Blanca 1730, Bowling Green, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power and disappeared from radar, crashed in a cornfield. 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.