BUCKEYE, AZ, USA
N50412
BELLANCA 8KCAB
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION A SMALL FLECK OF PARTICULATE CONTAMINATION WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. BOTH TANKS WERE ABOUT ONE-HALF FULL, FOR A TOTAL LOAD OF BETWEEN 17 AND 18 GALLONS. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL AREA ACROBATIC FLIGHT. AFTER A SERIES OF MANEUVERS WHICH INCLUDED SLOW AND POINT ROLLS, LOOPS, AND CUBAN EIGHTS, THE ENGINE 'COUGHED SIGNIFICANTLY,' AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND RUN CONTINUOUSLY ROUGH WITH A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND A FORCED LANDING IN DESERT TERRAIN BECAME NECESSARY. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT SOIL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER. RESPONDING FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY DISCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE.
On November 26, 1993, at 1015 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N50412, nosed over during a forced landing attempt in desert terrain near Buckeye, Arizona, following a total loss of engine power. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at Glendale, Arizona, on the day of the mishap at 0920 hours as a local area personal flight. The pilot reported in her written statement that during the preflight inspection a small fleck of particulate contamination was drained from the left tank. Both tanks were about one-half full, for a total load of between 17 and 18 gallons. No other discrepancies were noted and the aircraft departed for a local area acrobatic flight. After a series of maneuvers which included slow and point rolls, loops, and cuban eights, the engine "coughed significantly," and the pilot decided to return to the airport. While enroute, the engine began to sputter and run continuously rough with a gradual loss of power. The pilot's attempts to remedy the situation were unsuccessful and a forced landing in desert terrain became necessary. The aircraft encountered soft soil during the landing roll and nosed over. Responding Federal Aviation Administration inspectors from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, reported that they did not find any discrepancies with the aircraft or engine.
A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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