# NTSB LAX94LA057: Bellanca 8KCAB, N50412, Buckeye, AZ, November 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1993, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.379226, -112.549057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3792&lon=-112.5491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA057 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION A SMALL FLECK OF PARTICULATE CONTAMINATION WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. BOTH TANKS WERE ABOUT ONE-HALF FULL, FOR A TOTAL LOAD OF BETWEEN 17 AND 18 GALLONS. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL AREA ACROBATIC FLIGHT. AFTER A SERIES OF MANEUVERS WHICH INCLUDED SLOW AND POINT ROLLS, LOOPS, AND CUBAN EIGHTS, THE ENGINE 'COUGHED SIGNIFICANTLY,' AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND RUN CONTINUOUSLY ROUGH WITH A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND A FORCED LANDING IN DESERT TERRAIN BECAME NECESSARY. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT SOIL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER. RESPONDING FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY DISCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1993, at 1015 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N50412, nosed over during a forced landing attempt in desert terrain near Buckeye, Arizona, following a total loss of engine power. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at Glendale, Arizona, on the day of the mishap at 0920 hours as a local area personal flight. The pilot reported in her written statement that during the preflight inspection a small fleck of particulate contamination was drained from the left tank. Both tanks were about one-half full, for a total load of between 17 and 18 gallons. No other discrepancies were noted and the aircraft departed for a local area acrobatic flight. After a series of maneuvers which included slow and point rolls, loops, and cuban eights, the engine "coughed significantly," and the pilot decided to return to the airport. While enroute, the engine began to sputter and run continuously rough with a gradual loss of power. The pilot's attempts to remedy the situation were unsuccessful and a forced landing in desert terrain became necessary. The aircraft encountered soft soil during the landing roll and nosed over. Responding Federal Aviation Administration inspectors from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, reported that they did not find any discrepancies with the aircraft or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50412](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50412), registered now, S/N 598-80, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 598-80 - Airframe hours: 930 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lou Ann Behringer - Registered owner: Jim & Lou Ann Behringer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1993, 72 hours before - Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 382 total, 195 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19931126044659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931126044659A), Nov 26, 1993: Bbavia 8KCAB, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Reported power loss after practice acrobatics. Nosed over landing. No engine defects found. Dirt in fuel possible. 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.