# NTSB LAX97LA098: Bellanca 17-30A, N6638V, Scottsdale, AZ, January 31, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1997, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.609657, -111.89083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6097&lon=-111.8908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA098

## Probable cause

fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper fuel management.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

The pilot contacted the FAA control tower while on approach to his destination and was advised to report on a long right base for runway 21.  The pilot reported about 4 miles from the airport the engine suddenly dropped to idle, it did not quit, and the throttle had no effect on the rpm.  He stated that he immediately looked at the fuel gauge and noticed approximately 1/4 tank.  He tried switching tanks, but could not get a restart or increase from idle. According to FAA inspectors, the fuel selector was found on the left outboard fuel tank and the outboard fuel tanks were found empty.

## Factual narrative

On January 31, 1997, about 1300 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N6638V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Scottsdale, Arizona.  The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at North Las Vegas, Nevada, at 1015.

The pilot contacted the Scottsdale Air Traffic Control Tower and was advised to enter a right base leg for runway 21.  The pilot stated that when he was about 4 miles from the airport at 2,500 feet msl, the engine suddenly dropped to idle, it did not quit, and the throttle had no effect on the rpm.  He stated that he immediately noticed approximately 1/4 tank of fuel and tried switching tanks, but could not get a restart or increase from idle.

According to FAA inspectors, the fuel selector was found on the left outboard fuel tank.  Both outboard fuel tanks were found to be empty.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6638V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6638V-1997-05-09), registration cancelled 1997-05-09, S/N 30303 (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: 30303
- Airframe hours: 2430
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence  Packer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1996, 13 hours before
- Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SDL, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 716 total, 153 in this make and model, 631 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KSD

## 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 19970131001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970131001129A), Jan 31, 1997: Blanca 1730A, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. Approaching sdl engine idled. No throttle control. Fuel selected to empty tank. Both outboard tanks empty.

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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