# NTSB MIA93LA165: Bellanca 17-31A, N39850, Columbus, MS, July 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1993, 18:52 local (23:52 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, MS
- Coordinates: 33.500991, -88.400451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5010&lon=-88.4005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER DECISION TO TURN THE FUEL SELECTOR OFF PREMATURELY DURING HIS ATTEMPTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot noted an unsafe nose gear light and elected to turn the engine off on final approach by moving the fuel selector to off. The airplane engine quit and the airplane landed short of the runway. The nose gear was too badly damaged to determine the reported nose gear malfuntion.

## Factual narrative

On July 26, 1993, about 1852 central daylight time, N39850, a Bellanca 17-31A, registered to the pilot Leo C. Michaud, crashed short of the runway at Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed and activated. The pilot and his wife received serious injuries, and two passengers received no injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Cornelia, Georgia, about 2 hours earlier.

The pilot stated that the intended destination was Terrell, Texas and while in cruise flight he noticed the nose gear unsafe light illuminated. He elected to land at Lownes County Airport Columbus, Mississippi. During approach the tower personnel at the airport noted the main gear was down but the nose gear appeared to not be fully down. The pilot then elected to land at Columbus Air Force Base because of the availability of fire rescue personnel. On short final approach the pilot turned the fuel off and the engine stopped. The pilot slowed the airplane and the airplane crashed short of the runway. The nose gear was badly damaged and no reason for the unsafe gear indication could be documented.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39850](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39850-1995-11-01), registration cancelled 1995-11-01, S/N 7332102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31a) (registry code 1220435) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-102
- Airframe hours: 2538
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIE5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michaud, Leo C.
- Registered owner: Michaud, Leo C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 78 hours before
- Departed: AJR, CORNELIA, GA
- Destination: TRL, TERRELL, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CBM, Columbus Air Force Base, runway 31, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,678 total, 760 in this make and model, 1,522 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBM, 1 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930726025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930726025629A), Jul 26, 1993: Blanca 1731A, Columbus, MS, Substantial damage. Unsafe nose gear light. Shut off engine on short final and crashed short of runway. Reason unsafe gear unknown.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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