Plane crash in NE Cape Coral on Feb, 24.
SOURCE: Chris Gerber
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final investigation report into a plane that made an emergency landing in Cape Coral in February 2024, finding that an ill-fitting fuel line may have been the cause.
According to the NTSB, the single-engine plane suffered a total power loss at 1,500 feet, about five minutes into a flight that was intended to help test recent maintenance.
The pilot, who was flying alone, attempted to restore power before deciding to land in a residential area. During its descent, the airplane hit powerlines but ultimately landed on the grass along a divided highway, skidding onto the roadway.
Investigators determined that the engine failure was caused by a lack of fuel due to a loose fuel line improperly secured after maintenance.
The test flight followed the replacement of the plane’s fuel lines, engine-driven fuel pump, and other components.
A post-accident inspection revealed that the fuel line was less than finger-tight. The leak was corrected by tightening the connection. Afterward, during testing, the engine operated normally.
The aircraft, a Bellanca 17-30A, sustained substantial damage in the incident.
The 67-year-old pilot, with over 10,000 flight hours, was uninjured and reported performing a thorough preflight inspection the night before the flight. The airplane had been inactive since December 2023.
No damage to nearby buildings or injuries on the ground were reported.
The NTSB has classified the probable cause as improper maintenance by the pilot, who replaced the fuel line himself.
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Source: nbc-2
