Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 N711W
1 November 2011 · Borger, Texas, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 1 November 2011 at about 22:30 local time, a Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 registered N711W was involved in an accident near Borger, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Borger, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.7008, -101.3936
- Aircraft
- Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2
- Registration
- N711W
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Plainview → Borger
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN12CA051
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s diverted attention with the broken fuel gauge knob.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot was on a cross-country flight at 9,500 feet mean sea level. About 20 miles from his destination, he started the descent to the airport. The pilot reported that he looked at his fuel gauge and decided to switch fuel tanks when the airplane reached 5,000 feet. As he leveled the airplane, the engine lost power before the pilot switched fuel tanks. He turned on the fuel pump and attempted to turn the fuel selector knob. However, the knob broke in half, leaving just the post. Unable to turn the post and restart the engine, the pilot elected to conduct a forced landing in an open area. During the forced landing, the left wing was nearly severed in two by impact with a tree, the landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. After the accident, the pilot stated that he mistakenly turned the fuel gauge selector knob and not the fuel selector knob then got distracted by the knob breaking.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Downer BELLANCA accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May 2008 | Downer BELLANCA 14-19-3 | N. Little Rock, Arkansas, United States | Luther O. Sutter | No injuries | - |
| 14 May 2004 | Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 | Lancaster, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 2022 | Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 | Prosser, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb 2011 | Cessna 172N | Andrews, Texas, United States | Stephan Warren Company | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 2011 | Cessna 172 | Greenville, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Feb 2011 | Cessna 310K | Angleton, Texas, United States | Arthur Hale Consulting/Instruction, LLC | Serious injuries | - |
| 30 Nov 2011 | Cessna 305A | Fredericksburg, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2011 | Fisher LANCAIR | Azle, Texas, United States | Adastral LLC | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 2011 | Mooney M20K | Cresson, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |