Bellanca 17-31ATC accident near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 30, 1993
On June 30, 1993 at about 11:50 pm local time, a Bellanca 17-31ATC, registered N127WZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Jackson Hole Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN EMPTY FUEL TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 1993 · about 11:50 pm local time
- Place
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming · Jackson Hole Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17-31ATC · all 17-31ATCs on the register
- Registration
- N127WZ · no longer on the register · serial 31021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,535 hours in all; 1,260 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,013 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 14, 1993; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BLI Bellingham WA at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 6,299 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.