# NTSB LAX84LA181: Bellanca 14-13-2, N74490, Rialto, CA, February 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1984, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100948, -117.380218 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1009&lon=-117.3802&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT THEN MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE MAY HAVE TAKEN OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION TO THE LEFT TANK, THEN REPOSITIONED IT TO THE RIGHT TANK AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS OBSERVED IN THE RIGHT TANK POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74490](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74490), registered now, S/N 1603, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13-2
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13-2) (registry code 1201004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1306
- Airframe hours: 1952
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-335-B1 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stanley E. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1983
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Destination: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,025 total, 1,025 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840217004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840217004159A), Feb 17, 1984: Blanca 14132, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on climbout due to fuel starvation. Crash landed gear up. Fuel selector on empty tank other was full

## Other investigations on N74490 (1)

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 LAX67D0130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0130), Aug 19, 1966: Bellanca 14-19 (N74490), Oxnard, CA, substantial 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.
