Bellanca 17-30A accident near Kent, WA
On December 4, 1994, a Bellanca 17-30A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kent, WA. 2 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 4, 1994
- Place
- Kent, WA
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 2 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.389°N, 122.259°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02798
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 4, 1994, about 1540 Pacific standard time, N39852, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted terrain during a forced landing near Kent, Washington, and was substantially damaged. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during descent. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Electric City, Washington, about 1500 and was destined for Kent. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, the airplane underwent a "standard pre-flight" inspection on the day of the accident at a private airstrip near Kent prior to departure to Electric City. The pilot stated he visually checked the fuel quantity and fuel gages; he noted the right tank was "3/4 full" and the left tank was "5/8 full." He also stated that he drained the fuel tank sumps and gascolator during the inspection. The pilot stated that the flight to Electric City took about one hour and that the fuel selector was in the right tank. The pilot stated that his son was with him during the personal flight, and he intended on returning to the private airstrip that day. Upon landing in Electric City, the pilot stated that he noticed the right tank fuel gage was indicating between 1/4 and 1/2 full, and the left tank fuel gage indicated 5/8 full. The pilot stated that he switched the fuel selector to the left tank prior to departure from Electric City. He did not visually check the fuel ta
Probable cause
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE UNPORTING OF THE USEABLE FUEL SUPPLY, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRPLANE'S PUBLISHED ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURES AFTER THE LOSS OF FUEL FLOW DURING DESCENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE, AND A BERM.
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Browse: Washington · Bellanca aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
