# NTSB LAX89LA333: Bellanca 17-30A, N8272R, Palo Alto, CA, September 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1989, 14:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450042, -122.099349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4500&lon=-122.0993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA333

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL STARVATION WAS THE RESULT OF VANE PARTICLES FROM THE DETERIORATED ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP RESTRICTING THE UPSTREAM FLOW OF FUEL.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE FLIGHT REMAINED IN A CLOSED TRAFFIC PATTERN. ON TURN TO FINAL THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A BAY SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. NO FUEL WAS FOUND FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. THE FUEL STRAINER AT THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT CONTAINED SMALL DARK PARTICLES. EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP REVEALED THAT THE VANES HAD DAMAGE AND SEVERELY RESTRICTED THE FLOW OF FUEL. THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP WAS OKAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8272R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8272R-1998-04-14), registration cancelled 1998-04-14, S/N 30465 (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: 30465
- Airframe hours: 1508
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Klouda, Linda K.
- Registered owner: Linda Kay Klouda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1989, 46 hours before
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 1 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 19890929037379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890929037379A), Sep 29, 1989: Blanca 1730A, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on final. Landed short in harbor. Fuel contamination. Electric fuel pump vanes worn by particles.

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.

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