Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an empty fuel tank, and fuel starvation. Factors include rough/uneven terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
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.
Source record
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. -