- Date
- February 12, 1993, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place
- Graham, TX
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N8876RBellanca 14-19-3A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 10, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930212002299A
- Case key
- 18697
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation due to the improper position of the fuel tank selector. Factors were the pilot's failure to follow the checklist and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot executed a forced landing after experiencing a total loss of engine power while on final approach to the airport. Suitable terrain for a forced landing was not available to the pilot, so he elected to land straight ahead in rough and uneven terrain covered with heavy brush and trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector was found on the right wing tank position. The right wing tank was found to be empty while the other two tanks were nearly full. The pilot stated that he did not remember switching to the fullest main tank before landing.
Factual narrative
On February 12, 1993, at approximately 1120 central standard time, a Bellanca 14 19 3a airplane, N8876R, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Graham Municipal Airport near Graham, Texas. The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.
According to the pilot, the flight originated at Big Spring, Texas. The purpose of the flight was to drop the airplane off at the Graham Airport so an annual inspection could be completed. The pilot further reported that the entire flight was uneventful, up to the time he entered the traffic pattern to land at Graham. As he completed his turn to final, he attempted to add some power and the engine failed to respond. The pilot's first reaction was to switch the fuel selector to another tank, but due to his low altitude elected to concentrate on the forced landing and attempt to find a suitable landing area.
The airplane impacted the terrain and heavy brush approximately a quarter of a mile short of runway 03, coming to rest atop trees. The left wing separated from the fuselage, rupturing the left fuel cell. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the site, the pilot stated "I do not remember switching to the fullest main before landing." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector was on the right wing tank position. Further examination by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing tank was empty, and there was evidence of fuel in the fuselage tank as well as in the left wing tank.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8876R
- Reported as
- Bellanca 14-19-3A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 4238
- Airframe hours
- 1,570
- Engine
- Continental IO-470-F, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Roman, Elbert L.
- Registered owner
- Roman, Elbert L.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 23, 1991 · 17 hours before
- Departed
- 21XS · Big Spring, TX
- Airport
- E15 · Graham Municipal, runway 3, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 219 total · 74 in this make and model · 108 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 41 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MWL, 31 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8876R · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.