Summary
On June 30, 1993, a Bellanca 17-31ATC (N127WZ) was involved in an accident near Jackson Hole, WY. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 2 people uninjured out of 3 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN EMPTY FUEL TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
On June 30, 1993, at approximately 1750 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Bellanca 17 31ATC, N127WZ, experienced a gear collapse during a forced landing about four miles short of the runway at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The FAA certificated private pilot and one of his passengers were not injured, but the other passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham, Washington at about 1400 Pacific daylight time (PDT), was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA93LA145. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N127WZ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN EMPTY FUEL TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 30, 1993, at approximately 1750 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Bellanca 17 31ATC, N127WZ, experienced a gear collapse during a forced landing about four miles short of the runway at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The FAA certificated private pilot and one of his passengers were not injured, but the other passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham, Washington at about 1400 Pacific daylight time (PDT), was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was not on a filed flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.
The pilot stated that while on approach to the airport, he had selected an empty fuel tank without realizing it was empty. The engine then lost power, and he was unable to get it restarted in time to avoid a forced landing on rough/uneven terrain. During the landing roll, the gear collapsed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA93LA145