April 27, 2012, Cloverdale, Calif., Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking

The airplane sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and off-field landing at about 1032 Pacific time. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. As the airplane climbed through about 2000 feet, the engine suddenly stopped developing power. The pilot reportedly switched to the auxiliary fuel tank shortly before the engine quit.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane experienced a sudden loss of engine power at approximately 2000 feet, resulting in an off-field landing in a vineyard.
The commercial pilot, who had recently switched to an auxiliary fuel tank, sustained minor injuries.
Despite attempting to return to the departure runway, the airplane descended faster than anticipated, landing about one-quarter mile short.

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The airplane sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and off-field landing at about 1032 Pacific time. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

As the airplane climbed through about 2000 feet, the engine suddenly stopped developing power. The pilot reportedly switched to the auxiliary fuel tank shortly before the engine quit. The pilot turned back toward the airport to land on the departure runway. However, the airplane descended faster than anticipated and airplane landed in a vineyard about one-quarter mile short of the runway.