# NTSB LAX05CA016: Bellanca BL17-30, N4894V, Las Vegas, NV, October 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2004, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 35.972778, -115.134445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9728&lon=-115.1344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60425 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60425/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA016 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and collided with the airport perimeter fence while landing. The pilot stated that as he approached the vicinity of the airport, he confirmed that the fuel selector was on the left tank. He verified that the cockpit fuel quantity gauge showed about 3/8 of fuel remaining in the left main tank, which he equated to be about 10 gallons. He opted to make a right traffic pattern with the intention to land on runway17R, and kept the fuel selector on the left main tank. While executing a turn onto base leg, about 1/8 mile from the airport, the pilot attempted to add power and the engine lost power. Upon touchdown, the airplane collided with the airport's perimeter fence, damaging the right wing. After egressing the airplane the pilot examined the airplane's fuel tanks. His examination revealed that both the left main and auxiliary fuel tank were empty, with the right main tank having about 18 gallons of fuel remaining. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He opined that if the airplane was at a sufficient altitude he would have been able to switch to the right tank and successfully restart the engine. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 2004, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca BL17-30, N4894V, experienced a loss of engine power and collided with the airport perimeter fence at Henderson Executive Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from Gillespie Field Airport, El Cajon, California, about 1330, with a planned destination of Henderson. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated that as he approached the vicinity of the airport, he confirmed that the fuel sector was on the left tank. He verified that the cockpit fuel quantity gauge showed about 3/8 of fuel remaining in the left main tank, which he equated to be about 10 gallons. He opted to make a right traffic pattern with the intention to land on runway17R, and kept the fuel selector on the left main tank. While executing a right turn onto base leg, about 1/8 mile from the airport, he attempted to add power and the engine quit. With the airplane so low to the ground, he thought that he did not have enough time to switch to the right main tank and turn the fuel boost pump on. Upon touchdown, the airplane collided with the airport's perimeter fence, damaging the right wing. The pilot further stated that after egressing the airplane he examined the airplane's fuel tanks. His examination revealed that both the left main and auxiliary fuel tank were empty, with the right main tank having about 18 gallons of fuel remaining. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He opined that if the airplane was at a sufficient altitude he would have been able to switch to the right tank and successfully restart the engine. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident occurred. He stated that during his examination of the wreckage he found no fuel in the fuel flow divider diaphragm or in the main fuel line. He found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4894V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4894V-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 30133, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL17-30 - 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: 30133 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: HND, Las Vegas, NV - Airport: HND, Henderson Executive Airport, runway 17R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,610 total, 250 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20041025026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041025026739A), Oct 25, 2004: Blanca 1730, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 25, 2004 at about 1435 local time, a Bellanca BL-17-30 aircraft made a forced landing just short of the runway following a loss of engine… 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.