Pilot Debrief

Beech A36TC near Sylmar, CA — 2018-08-12

Final reportWPR18FA219
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Date
2018-08-12
Location
Sylmar, CA, USA
Airport
WHP
Aircraft
Beech A36TC
Registration
N136RM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

While descending toward the destination airport for landing, the private pilot made a "mayday" call and reported to air traffic control that he had "no throttle, no engine at all." Witnesses saw the airplane flying about 30 to 40 ft above ground level when it turned and descended into a flat, open field adjacent to a highway. Wreckage examination revealed that the airplane likely stalled and impacted the terrain in a nose and left-wing low attitude. Postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane on approach to a relatively benign emergency landing area. Postaccident examination did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded the production of rated engine power and fuel was onboard. Although impact damage precluded a test run of the engine, teardown examination revealed no anomalies with the engine or its internal components. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to an alternate airport before losing engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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