Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 17-30A near Cape Coral, FL — 2024-02-24

Final reportERA24LA122
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Date
2024-02-24
Location
Cape Coral, FL, USA
Airport
94FL
Aircraft
BELLANCA 17-30A
Registration
N282SV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s failure to properly secure a fuel supply line.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner of the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to ensure that recent maintenance performed on the airplane was satisfactory. According to the pilot and maintenance log entries, the left magneto and harness was replaced with an electronic magneto and new harness, the engine mounts were replaced, the engine-driven fuel pump was replaced with an overhauled unit, and the engine fuel hoses “firewall forward” were replaced. The pilot stated that he replaced the fuel lines. About five minutes after takeoff on the accident flight, the engine lost total power at an altitude of 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot was unable to restore engine power and elected to land in a residential neighborhood; however, during the approach, the airplane contacted powerlines before it touched down in the grass of a divided highway and skidded into the roadway. A test run of the engine was performed following the accident. Initially, the engine would not start, and a significant fuel leak was found at the fuel line from the throttle body to the fuel manifold. The fuel line was found to be less than finger tight, and when secured, the engine started immediately and operated at various power settings without anomalies. Based on this information, it is likely that, following this replacement of the fuel hoses, the pilot failed to properly secure the fuel line from the throttle body to the fuel manifold, which resulted in a fuel leak, fuel starvation, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Ensure all fuel lines were properly secured before the test flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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