Event FTW93LA085

Factual narrative

On February 12, 1993, at approximately 1120 central standard time, a Bellanca 14 19 3a airplane, N8876R, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Graham Municipal Airport near Graham, Texas. The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, the flight originated at Big Spring, Texas. The purpose of the flight was to drop the airplane off at the Graham Airport so an annual inspection could be completed. The pilot further reported that the entire flight was uneventful, up to the time he entered the traffic pattern to land at Graham. As he completed his turn to final, he attempted to add some power and the engine failed to respond. The pilot's first reaction was to switch the fuel selector to another tank, but due to his low altitude elected to concentrate on the forced landing and attempt to find a suitable landing area. The airplane impacted the terrain and heavy brush approximately a quarter of a mile short of runway 03, coming to rest atop trees. The left wing separated from the fuselage, rupturing the left fuel cell. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the site, the pilot stated "I do not remember switching to the fullest main before landing." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector was on the right wing tank position. Further examination by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing tank was empty, and there was evidence of fuel in the fuselage tank as well as in the left wing tank. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING AFTER EXPERIENCING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN COVERED WITH HEAVY BRUSH AND TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT WING TANK POSITION. THE RIGHT WING TANK WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY WHILE THE OTHER TWO TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT REMEMBER SWITCHING TO THE FULLEST MAIN TANK BEFORE LANDING. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12