Pilot Debrief

Bellanca 14-19-2 near Keller, TX — 2008-08-24

Final reportDFW08CA214
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Date
2008-08-24
Location
Keller, TX, USA
Aircraft
Bellanca 14-19-2
Registration
N7653B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane which resulted in an attempted takeoff without fuel present in the selected fuel tank.

NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The private pilot aborted the takeoff, locked up the brakes, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and passenger were able to egress unassisted. After the accident, the pilot checked the selected left fuel tank, and found the tank to be empty. The fuel tanks had been previously filled, the airplane was flown seven days prior, and the pilot expected the left tank to be full. The pilot reported that the fuel must have been stolen prior to his flight. In addition, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had visually confirmed that fuel was present in the left tank.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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