Bellanca 17 30 N7346V

Summary

On 11 June 2016 at about 14:15 local time, a Bellanca 17 30 registered N7346V was involved in an accident near Westport, Oklahoma, 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.

Date

11 June 2016 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Westport, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Westport (4F1)

Coordinates

36.2106, -96.2544

Aircraft

Bellanca 17 30

Registration

N7346V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Westport → Sand Springs

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA217

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed with the intention of filling the airplane's fuel tanks at a nearby airport before proceeding to his destination. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot adjusted the engine controls for cruise flight and then noticed a loss of engine power. He initiated emergency procedures by switching from the right main fuel tank to the left main fuel tank, turning on the fuel boost pump, and maneuvering the airplane for a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane contacted trees and then impacted an open field. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the right main fuel tank was about three-quarters full and the other three fuel tanks were nearly empty. No fuel was present in the line from the fuel manifold to the metering unit or to the engine driven fuel pump. When tested, the boost pump delivered fuel from the right main fuel tank to the main fuel line. Other than the absence of fuel, no anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.