Pilot Debrief

BEECH A36 near Cordova, IL — 2013-03-23

Final reportCEN13LA204
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Date
2013-03-23
Location
Cordova, IL, USA
Aircraft
BEECH A36
Registration
N6038R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident test run of the engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

Before departure, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane and noted no anomalies. The pilot reported that, about 10 minutes after reaching cruise altitude, the engine "coughed" and began to lose power. He stated that he switched fuel tanks and attempted to regain engine power but that the engine could not produce enough power to maintain altitude. Unable to reach an airport, the pilot chose to perform a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane impacted power lines, and a portion of the right wing separated. During the postaccident test run of the engine, no mechanical failures or malfunctions were revealed that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to an airport after initial engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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