ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 360459
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| Date: | Friday 20 May 1994 |
| Time: | 17:25 LT |
| Type: |  Bellanca 17-30A |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N14773 |
| MSN: | 75-30772 |
| Engine model: | CONTINENTAL IO-520-K |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Del Rio, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | (KDRT) |
| Austin, TX (KAUS) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT NOTICED AN ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AN ENGINE SURGE. THE PILOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. HE AND A MECHANIC CHECKED THE AIRPLANE AND DECIDED THE SMELL WAS FROM A CLEANING SOLVENT ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE PILOT STARTED THE AIRPLANE AND SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE GROUND CHECKS. DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE STARTED LOOSING POWER AND THE PILOT AGAIN SMELLED THE ODOR. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN DESERT BRUSH TERRAIN THE MAIN GEAR FOLDED. THE AIRPLANE SLID 120 FEET, SPUN AROUND STRIKING A VEHICLE AND CAME TO REST. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EXHIBITED PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF LEAKING. NEAR THE EXHAUST WAS A FIRE DAMAGED BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES. THE WIRES WERE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP.
Probable Cause: FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO AN EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAK RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INFLIGHT FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL PUMP. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW94LA175
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Mar-2024 07:35 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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