Overbrook, OK, USA
N194DW
BELLANCA 17-30A
The private pilot stated that he did not visually check the fuel level in the tanks before the personal cross-country flight but that he estimated that there was sufficient fuel on board for a 1-hour flight; the flight was expected to take 30 minutes. The pilot stated that, about 15 to 20 minutes into the flight, the engine started to surge, and it then experienced a total loss of power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He then attempted to circle to the north end of a nearby airport so he could land to the south instead of landing to the north with a light tailwind. While on final approach, the airplane contacted trees and terrain about 300 ft north of the runway end. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel system was intact. No fuel was found in the left wing tank, and 1/2 gallon of fuel was found in the right wing tank.
On January 17, 2016, about 1735 central standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N194DW, collided with trees and terrain during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power in Overbrook, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and firewall. The airplane was registered to Physics Behind Fitness LLC and was being operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Aero Country Airport (T31), McKinney, Texas, about 1715. The airplane had just come out of maintenance and the pilot stated he planned to fly to the Lake Murray area then to the Sherman Municipal Airport for fuel. He estimated he would be airborne about 30 minutes and had about 1 hour of fuel on board. He stated he did not visually check the fuel level in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that upon reaching the south end of Lake Murray, the engine began to surge, and continued to do so for about 45 seconds. He turned toward the Lake Murray State Park Airport (1F2) which was north of his position and the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. He turned on the fuel boost pump and switched fuel tanks but was not able to regain engine power. The pilot stated he thought he had enough altitude to fly to the north end of the airport and land into the wind on runway 14. An airport 5 miles north of the accident site reported wind at 1735 was from 110 degrees at 3 knots. The pilot reported the local wind was from 160 degrees at 7 knots. While on final approach, the airplane contacted trees and terrain about 300 feet north of the end of runway 14. The pilot was able to exit the airplane and called 911 for assistance. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported the airplane's fuel system appeared to be intact and no fuel was observed in the fuel tanks. The owner of the company that recovered the airplane from the accident site reported the wing tanks and fuel system were intact. He stated there was ½ gallon of fuel in the right wing tank and zero fuel in the left wing tank.
The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent decision to circle to the north end of the airport due to a light tailwind condition instead of making a downwind landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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