# NTSB SEA93LA145: Bellanca 17-31ATC, N127WZ, Jackson Hole, WY, June 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1993, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Jackson Hole, WY
- Coordinates: 43.47031, -110.759864 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4703&lon=-110.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN EMPTY FUEL TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SELECTED AN EMPTY FUEL TANK WITHOUT REALIZING IT WAS EMPTY. FUEL STARVATION FOLLOWED, AND WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED IN TIME TO AVOID MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Factual narrative

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127WZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127WZ-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 31021, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-31ATC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-31ATC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-31atc) (registry code 1220437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31021
- Airframe hours: 2013
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1E5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, William Z.
- Registered owner: Williams, William Z.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1993, 17 hours before
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Airport: JAC, Jackson Hole Airport, runway 18, 6,299 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,535 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19930630046819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930630046819A), Jun 30, 1993: Blanca 1731ATC, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. Selected empty tank by mistake on approach to airport. Unable timely restart. Gear collapsed landing in rough field

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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