Accident Overview
On January 17, 2016, at approximately 1735 central standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, registration N194DW, collided with trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Overbrook, Oklahoma. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and firewall.
Flight Details
The airplane was registered to Physics Behind Fitness LLC and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Aero Country Airport (T31) in McKinney, Texas, around 1715. The pilot planned to fly to the Lake Murray area then to Sherman Municipal Airport for fuel, estimating a 30-minute flight with about 1 hour of fuel on board. The pilot stated he did not visually check the fuel level in the tanks. The airplane had just come out of maintenance.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that upon reaching the south end of Lake Murray, the engine began to surge for about 45 seconds. He turned toward Lake Murray State Park Airport (1F2) to the north, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. He activated the fuel boost pump and switched fuel tanks but could not restore engine power.
Believing he had sufficient altitude to reach the north end of the airport and land into the wind on runway 14, the pilot continued. An airport 5 miles north reported wind at 1735 from 110 degrees at 3 knots; the pilot reported local wind 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 exited the airplane and called 911.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported the fuel system appeared intact with no fuel observed in the tanks. The recovery company reported the wing tanks and system were intact, with half a gallon of fuel in the right wing tank and none in the left.