Bellanca 17-30A accident near Columbus, Texas, December 16, 2005
On December 16, 2005 at about 1:45 am local time, a Bellanca 17-30A, registered N78SV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Texas (Rober R. Wells Jr. Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 16, 2005 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Columbus, Texas · Rober R. Wells Jr. Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30A · all 17-30As on the register
- Registration
- N78SV · registry record · serial 78-30897
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 150-hour pilot experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank in an effort to restart the engine, however the engine did not restart and the airplane impacted terrain. Prior to the wreckage recovery, it was noted that approximately two gallons of fuel was removed from the right wing fuel tanks, approximately seven gallons of fuel was removed from the fuselage auxiliary fuel tank, and the left wing fuel tanks contained no fuel. The fuel tank selector was found in the auxiliary position and the electronic auxiliary fuel pump switch was in the off position. The accident pilot was unavailable for an interview due to the extent of the injuries sustained, and a Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB 6120.1) was not received. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 150 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 3,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 66RT Columbus TX at 1:25 am
- Destination: 3T5 La Grange TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 3,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 900 ft; ovct at 900 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 am from 3T5, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.