Bellanca 17-31A N93668 accident near Mc Alester, Oklahoma

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, had purchased the airplane 3 days before the accident and was conducting a familiarization flight/flight review with a flight instructor. The flight departed and landed at two airports before proceeding to the destination. The flight instructor stated that, during the visual approach to the destination airport, the fuel selector was moved from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank; at that time, the fuel gauges indicated that the left fuel tank was less than 1/2 full, the right fuel tank was above 1/4 full, and the auxiliary fuel tank was full. After a touch-and-go landing, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while climbing through 100 ft above ground level and subsequently impacted terrain during the forced landing.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right main fuel tanks contained no usable fuel; the auxiliary tank was about full. The main fuel supply line revealed that only several drops of liquid consistent in odor with aviation fuel was present in the line. The gascolator screen did not contain debris, and the gascolator bowl contained a few drops of liquid consistent with the odor of aviation fuel. The position of the fuel selector could not be determined due to impact damage. Compression and continuity of the engine valve and drive trains was confirmed when the engine was rotated by hand. Given the lack of mechanical anomalies, the lack of usable fuel in either of the main fuel tanks, and the absence of fuel in the main supply line and gascolator, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA019 for the full record.