# NTSB NYC90LA163: Bellanca 17-31A, N93666, Wilmington, OH, July 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1990, 17:28 local (21:28 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.439262, -83.829391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4393&lon=-83.8294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA163

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION WHEN THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE EMPTY FUEL TANK.

## 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
  - fuel system,tank - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - fence (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF FROM CLINTON FIELD, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. PILOT SAID THAT HE TOOK OFF ON THE EMPTY TANK THEN SWITCHED TO THE TANK THAT WAS HALF FULL. AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE DURING THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93666](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93666-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 73-32-118, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31a) (registry code 1220435) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73-32-118
- Airframe hours: 1085
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIE5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eddie Don Reiley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: I66, WILMINGTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 200 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19900716026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900716026419A), Jul 16, 1990: Blanca 1731A, Wilmington, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in open field. Took off on empty tank switched to other tank too late.

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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