The pilot reported that, at the request of the airplane owner, he was going to reposition the Bellanca 14-19-3 to another airport for an annual inspection. As a precaution, the pilot wanted to fly around the traffic pattern at the airport in Whitefish, Montana, to refamiliarize himself with the airplane.
When the pilot arrived at the hangar, the owner stated that the airplane was “ready to go” and that 25 gallons of fuel had been added to the right fuel tank.
They departed for a flight around the pattern and were on the crosswind leg when the engine lost power. He adjusted the throttle, mixture, and engaged the boost pump, and the engine started.
They continued with the landing sequence, and on the base leg, the engine lost power again.
The pilot did not believe the airplane was going to make the runway and elected to land straight ahead in a grassy field.
During the landing roll out, the airplane hit a dirt berm and slid sideways before it came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
After they exited the airplane, the pilot checked the right fuel tank and noted it was empty.
The airplane was inspected at the accident site by an FAA inspector, who determined that the right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank was nearly full.
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to accomplish a preflight inspection.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This August 2021 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Drain all sumps prior to takeoff, there are two on the center of the Belly close together under a cover this is the low point.
Never takeoff without a Complete preflight.
How much time takes checking fuel level in a low wing aircraft? It’s a simple task, why don’t do it? Never trust in anyone, do it yourself.
It just amazes me why this keeps happening over and over?? Some seem to not have any attention to detail? What is the problem? There’s a reason for everything?? The instructor, the students, or the FAA? People with a lackadaisical attitude should not fly airplanes!! Each has a checklist to refer to before attempting to get in the Air!!
That is why never trust anyone to tell you all is okay with checking it out yourself……
When you look at the airplane from the front, the right tank is on the left.
Wow.!! I hope that I’m never this pilot.!
From his statement; The pilot admitted that he had made multiple mistakes leading up to this accident.
1. didn’t visually check the fuel levels in each tank… none in the right tank, the left tank was near full…flew on the right tank.
2. didn’t check the aircraft documents…they were not in the aircraft.
3. did not check the log books… the last annual was 4 years ago…no ferry permit.
So,now what will the owner do with a damaged, un-airworthy aircraft ?
Both should be fined heavily…
WOW, that’s all I can say.