Pilot Debrief

VAN GROUW R / CANTRELL L WHITE LIGHTNING near Las Vegas, NM — 2023-08-06

Final reportWPR23LA304
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Date
2023-08-06
Location
Las Vegas, NM, USA
Aircraft
VAN GROUW R / CANTRELL L WHITE LIGHTNING
Registration
N25WL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A reported partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine’s power decreased to a point where the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing at an airport that he had just overflown. However, after making the 180° turn, the airplane could not maintain airspeed or altitude, and the pilot chose to land on a dirt road. During the landing roll, the left wing separated after impacting a fence. The wreckage was subsequently disposed of by the pilot (who owned the airplane), which precluded postaccident examination of the airframe. A repair facility purchased the engine and repeated attempts to gather additional information from the facility were unsuccessful. According to the pilot, the repair facility inspected the engine and found no mechanical anomalies. Based on this information, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land at LVS instead of continuing flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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