Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 17-30A near Overbrook, OK — 2016-01-17

Final reportCEN16LA090
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Date
2016-01-17
Location
Overbrook, OK, USA
Airport
1F1
Aircraft
BELLANCA 17-30A
Registration
N194DW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent decision to circle to the north end of the airport due to a light tailwind condition instead of making a downwind landing.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that he did not visually check the fuel level in the tanks before the personal cross-country flight but that he estimated that there was sufficient fuel on board for a 1-hour flight; the flight was expected to take 30 minutes. The pilot stated that, about 15 to 20 minutes into the flight, the engine started to surge, and it then experienced a total loss of power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He then attempted to circle to the north end of a nearby airport so he could land to the south instead of landing to the north with a light tailwind. While on final approach, the airplane contacted trees and terrain about 300 ft north of the runway end. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel system was intact. No fuel was found in the left wing tank, and 1/2 gallon of fuel was found in the right wing tank.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not visually check fuel level before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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