Bellanca 17-30A accident near Canton, Texas, June 8, 2011
On June 8, 2011 at about 1:15 pm local time, a Bellanca 17-30A, registered N93650, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Canton, Texas (Thompson Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of fuel pressure for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2011 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Canton, Texas · Thompson Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30A · all 17-30As on the register
- Registration
- N93650 · no longer on the register · serial 74-30658
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he performed a normal preflight and run-up of the airplane prior to departure. Shortly after takeoff, the engine’s fuel pressure went to zero. The pilot switched to the right fuel tank and turned on the boost pump but still did not get any fuel pressure. He then turned the airplane back toward the airport and prepared for an engine-out forced landing. During the forced landing in a field, the airplane’s right wing struck the terrain. Fuel was present at the accident site. After the airplane was recovered, the engine-driven fuel pump was removed and examined; no abnormalities were noted, and the pump’s drive coupling was found intact. The rod end bearing connecting the throttle control to the engine’s fuel control was found disconnected. The attaching bolt was damaged, and the nut was not located. Examination of the bolt revealed signatures that were consistent with the bolt and nut being in place at the time of the accident. A reason for the loss of fuel pressure was not found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,280 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 14, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,710 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 2010
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1TA7 Canton TX at 1:15 pm
- Destination: 1TA7 Canton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KJDD, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.