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Engine Failure During Landing Leads to Gear-Up Landing (N838MM)

Alexandria, MN, US

On July 1, 1996, a Bellanca 17-30 VIKING (registration N838MM) was involved in an aviation accident near Alexandria, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the flight instructor's failure to assure a proper fuel tank selector position. Factors associated with the accident were improper preflight preparation and complacency by the flight instructor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight, the engine stopped on base leg. The instructor selected another tank but the engine would not restart, resulting in a gear-up landing near the runway. Investigation revealed empty main fuel tanks.

Incident Details

A flight instructor was providing instruction to an airplane owner seeking to qualify as pilot-in-command. After approximately one hour of flight, an owner-devised fuel tank change alarm sounded. The instructor believed the owner had switched the fuel tanks.

As the airplane entered the base leg for landing, with the instructor at the controls, the engine stopped. The instructor selected an alternate fuel tank, but the engine would not restart. The airplane subsequently landed with the landing gear retracted near the runway.

Post-Accident Investigation

An on-scene investigation revealed that the main fuel tanks were empty. The flight had commenced with the left main tank empty and the right main tank full. At the time of the accident, the fuel tank selector was positioned on the left main tank. The auxiliary fuel tanks were full.

Pre-Flight Activities

The instructor stated that he provided the owner with 6 to 10 minutes of ground instruction regarding the flight maneuvers to be performed. He did not observe the owner's preflight inspection.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Jul 1996 Bellanca 17-30 VIKING accident near Alexandria, MN?

During a training flight, the engine stopped on base leg. The instructor selected another tank but the engine would not restart, resulting in a gear-up landing near the runway. Investigation revealed empty main fuel tanks.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Jul 1996 Bellanca 17-30 VIKING accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Jul 1996 involved a Bellanca 17-30 VIKING, registration N838MM, at Alexandria, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the flight instructor's failure to assure a proper fuel tank selector position. Factors associated with the accident were improper preflight preparation and complacency by the flight instructor.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06166. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.