Bellanca 17 30 accident near Westport, Oklahoma, June 11, 2016
On June 11, 2016 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1969 Bellanca 17 30, registered N7346V, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Westport, Oklahoma (Westport 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
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2016 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Westport, Oklahoma · Westport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17 30 UNDESIGNAT, built 1969 · all 17 30s on the register
- Registration
- N7346V · no longer on the register · serial 30223
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed with the intention of filling the airplane's fuel tanks at a nearby airport before proceeding to his destination. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot adjusted the engine controls for cruise flight and then noticed a loss of engine power. He initiated emergency procedures by switching from the right main fuel tank to the left main fuel tank, turning on the fuel boost pump, and maneuvering the airplane for a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane contacted trees and then impacted an open field. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the right main fuel tank was about three-quarters full and the other three fuel tanks were nearly empty. No fuel was present in the line from the fuel manifold to the metering unit or to the engine driven fuel pump. When tested, the boost pump delivered fuel from the right main fuel tank to the main fuel line. Other than the absence of fuel, no anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Fuel starvation during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 251 hours in all; 174 in this make and model; 165 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 22, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 13, 2016; 2,975 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-D (piston); 2,981 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4F1 Westport OK at 2:10 pm
- Destination: OWP Sand Springs OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KOWP, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 9, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspectors Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records - Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.