Bellanca 17-30A Safety Record

The pilot's failure to follow the restart procedures published in the approved flight manual(AFM). Factors were his failure to follow the fuel management procedures published in the AFM, which resulted in fuel starvation.

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral clearance with terrain. Factors were the confined area used for takeoff, and the high vegetation alongside the road.

the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

The dual student's failure to purge the fuel lines of air after a fuel tank was run dry on the previous flight and the failure of the electric fuel boost pump on or low position due to a loose wire which resulted in failure of the engine due to air in the lines and collision with trees during a forced landing.

flight into known adverse weather conditions and the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot. An additional cause was the improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. Contributing factors were the weather below approach/landing minimums, night conditions, the pilot's lack of total instrument time and fatigue.

The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in a loss of power due to fuel contamination. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's non-compliance of an airworthiness directive, failure to perform an annual inspection, and improper modifications of the fuel drain system.

The total loss of engine power due to failure of maintenance personnel to assure that the thru bolt nut at the Nos. 2 and 3 cylinders was adequately torqued following removal and replacement of the No. 3 cylinder approximately 328 hours earlier. Also, the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing. A factor in the accident was the operation of the airplane by the owner exceeding the recommended oil change intervals.

the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors included the inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the crosswind, and gusts.

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing roll, and his delayed aborted landing. The gusty crosswind and blown left main tire were considered to be related factors.

a loss of engine power as a result of the failure of the left exhaust tailpipe and led to a shorted ignition system. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain in which the aircraft landed.

failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive airspeed on final approach, and the short and wet condition of the runway.

THE PILOTS DECISION TO CONTINUE HIS VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AFTER BEING ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED, RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE TO GET TO WORK, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT.

THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE BELLANCA PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE HIS INTENTIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY.

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.