On July 2, 1983, a Cessna 177B (registration N20391) operated by Johannes Andal was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing near the Grand Canyon's South Rim after the engine lost power. Salvage crew found no fuel in the tanks.
Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft struck trees during a forced landing near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after the engine ceased operation. The aircraft was subsequently recovered by a salvage crew.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the engine lost power while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 9,500 feet. The pilot declared an emergency and received clearance from air traffic control to land on any runway at Grand Canyon Airport. However, the aircraft was unable to reach the airport and came to rest in a wooded area near the South Rim.
Aftermath
A salvage crew that recovered the aircraft reported that the fuel tanks contained no fuel. The aircraft sustained damage from the collision with trees. No other information was provided regarding injuries or the extent of damage.