On July 26, 1993, about 1852 central daylight time, N39850, a Bellanca 17-31A, registered to the pilot Leo C. Michaud, crashed short of the runway at Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed and activated. The pilot and his wife received serious injuries, and two passengers received no injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Cornelia, Georgia, about 2 hours earlier. The pilot stated that the intended destination was Terrell, Texas and while in cruise flight he noticed the nose gear unsafe light illuminated. He elected to land at Lownes County Airport Columbus, Mississippi. During approach the tower personnel at the airport noted the main gear was down but the nose gear appeared to not be fully down. The pilot then elected to land at Columbus Air Force Base because of the availability of fire rescue personnel. On short final approach the pilot turned the fuel off and the engine stopped. The pilot slowed the airplane and the airplane crashed short of the runway. The nose gear was badly damaged and no reason for the unsafe gear indication could be documented.