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IAD96LA148

1996-09-17 · BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport BWG

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations and fuel exhaustion, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 17, 1996, at about 1245 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL-26, N66PG, sustained substantial damage after the pilot reported engine problems when it impacted terrain in a corn field 10 miles south of the airport while on approach to Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Enterprise, Alabama, at 0950 eastern daylight time. Instrument meteorological conditions existed and an IFR flight plan was filed in flight. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Neither the registered owner of the aircraft or the commercial pilot submitted a NTSB Form 6120.1/2, pilot/operator report after several requests.

WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assigned to the case the flight departed Enterprise, Alabama, at 0950 eastern daylight time enroute to Bowling Green-Warren county Regional Airport, Bowling Green, Kentucky. While on approach the pilot reported that the engine had failed. On scene examination of the wreckage found the fuel tanks intact with no evidence of leakage. Further examination found know fuel stains on neither the wings nor any discoloration of the nearby foliage. A visual inspection of the fuel tanks revealed two gallons of fuel remaining in the right fuel tank, 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the auxiliary tank and about 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. The throttle controls were intact and the fuel selector was set to the left fuel tank. The pilot reported that while approaching the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, the engine lost power, and subsequently, the airplane crashed into a corn field 10 miles south of the airport. An examination of the airplane revealed two gallons of fuel remaining in the right fuel tank, 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the auxiliary fuel tank and about 1/2 gallon of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. There was no evidence of fuel leakage or damage to surrounding foliage. The fuel selector was found selected on the left fuel tank. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1996_IAD96LA148.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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