Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 320 near Windthorst, TX — 2021-08-29

Final reportCEN21LA391
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Date
2021-08-29
Location
Windthorst, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 320
Registration
N222L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A forced landing due to a loss of engine power on the right engine for a reason that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the twin-engine airplane’s right engine lost power about 20 minutes after takeoff. The pilot’s activation of the electric boost pump restored power for a short time before the power on the right engine was again lost, after which the pilot shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller. The pilot diverted to another airport, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. As a result, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the right engine that would have precluded normal operations. Given the available evidence for this investigation, the cause of the right engine’s loss of power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not switch fuel tanks after detecting power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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