Bellanca 17-30A accident near Dallas, Georgia, September 15, 2007
On September 15, 2007 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Bellanca 17-30A, registered N8260R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dallas, Georgia (Cobb County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise due to fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2007 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Dallas, Georgia · Cobb County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-30A · all 17-30As on the register
- Registration
- N8260R · no longer on the register · serial 30438
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
**This report was modified on August 18, 2009** The pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection and engine run-up, and then attempted to takeoff. The airplane became airborne momentarily; however, the pilot aborted the takeoff, because he felt the engine "miss." The owner of the airplane and the accident pilot subsequently sampled the fuel tanks located in each respective wing, and discovered water was present in all four tanks. After they both felt comfortable that they had drained all the water from the fuel system, the accident pilot again attempted to takeoff. The airplane departed without incident; however, about 15 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during a subsequent forced landing. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical abnormalities. The airplane's fuel tanks were compromised; however, through the use of water finding paste, water was identified in the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel control inlet screen, and fuel manifold. The accident flight was the airplane’s first flight since a test flight after its most recent annual inspection, five months prior to the accident.
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: 364 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,660 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2007; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental IO-520-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CTJ Carrollton GA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: RYY Marietta GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from RYY, 9 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.