# NTSB SEA92LA063: Bellanca 17-31A, N8266R, Eugene, OR, March 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1992, 09:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Eugene, OR
- Coordinates: 43.959217, -122.920524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9592&lon=-122.9205&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA063

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER FUEL BOOST PUMP SELECTOR POSITION, AND INCORRECT PROCEDURES. FACTORS INCLUDE AN IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION, AND FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE BELLANCA 17-31A WAS ON FINAL APPROACH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER AND THE FUEL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO. AT THAT TIME HE WAS BURNING FUEL OUT OF THE LEFT AUXILIARY TANK (THE FLIGHT MANUAL DIRECTS PILOTS TO USE ONLY THE MAIN TANKS FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING, AND SAYS TO USE THE AUXILIARY TANKS IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY). HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY SWITCHING TO ONE OF THE MAIN TANKS. WHEN THIS WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE OTHER MAIN TANK. WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, HE LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD, BUT FLIPPED OVER ON LANDING ROLL AFTER HITTING A DITCH. THE PILOT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP AS CALLED FOR BY THE FLIGHT MANUAL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER THE FUEL PRESSURE IS LOST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8266R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8266R-1994-08-09), registration cancelled 1994-08-09, S/N 3277 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31a) (registry code 1220435) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-77
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bash, Gail S.
- Registered owner: Bash, Gail S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1991
- Departed: TTD, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: EUG, EUGENE, OR
- Airport: EUG, Mahlon Sweet Field, runway 16, 6,202 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 357 total, 109 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920319006889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920319006889A), Mar 19, 1992: Blanca 1731A, Eugene, OR, Substantial damage. Ran aux tank dry on landing approach. Unable to restart on mains with fuel due to failure to use boost pump.

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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