Bellanca 17-30A N6638V

Summary

On 31 January 1997 at about 20:00 local time, a Bellanca 17-30A registered N6638V was involved in an accident near Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 January 1997 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.6097, -111.8908

Aircraft

Bellanca 17-30A

Registration

N6638V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Las Vegas → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA098

2 people had minor injuries.

fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper fuel management.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot contacted the FAA control tower while on approach to his destination and was advised to report on a long right base for runway 21. The pilot reported about 4 miles from the airport the engine suddenly dropped to idle, it did not quit, and the throttle had no effect on the rpm. He stated that he immediately looked at the fuel gauge and noticed approximately 1/4 tank. He tried switching tanks, but could not get a restart or increase from idle. According to FAA inspectors, the fuel selector was found on the left outboard fuel tank and the outboard fuel tanks were found empty.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.