Pilot Debrief

MEYERS INDUSTRIES INC 200A near Weslaco, TX — 2022-06-16

Final reportCEN22LA252
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Date
2022-06-16
Location
Weslaco, TX, USA
Airport
TXW
Aircraft
MEYERS INDUSTRIES INC 200A
Registration
N489C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he intended to complete a cross-country flight and the airplane had about 65 gallons of fuel onboard. After takeoff, he entered the left traffic pattern to overfly the runway before departing the area. While on the downwind leg, the engine sustained a total loss of power and the propeller continued to windmill. As he turned toward the airport, he extended the airplane’s landing gear because he believed the airplane would reach the runway. However, the additional drag of the extended landing gear increased the airplane’s descent rate and the airplane descended into an area of trees short of the runway. The airplane collided with trees and came to rest vertically with the tail resting on a tree. The engine mounts, forward fuselage, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was adequate fuel available, and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation were identified. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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