Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 8KCAB near Rainbow City, AL — 2020-05-22

Final reportERA20LA194
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Date
2020-05-22
Location
Rainbow City, AL, USA
Aircraft
BELLANCA 8KCAB
Registration
N68555
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during the flight back to the departure airport after practicing aerobatic maneuvers, the engine started to "cut off and on." The pilot decided to make an emergency landing in a field. The airplane impacted trees, and the landing gear and both wings were buckled. The wreckage examination found that both fuel tanks were breached and absent of fuel. The airplane was recovered from the accident site, and an engine test run was conducted. Prior to the test run, all fuel lines leading to the fuel pumps and fuel servo were examined. The mechanical and electrical fuel pumps were checked, and no anomalies were noted. An external fuel tank was plumbed to the mechanical pump for the test run. The fuel-injected engine was started and run for 2 to 3 minutes at various rpms, and no anomalies were noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departing for return flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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