What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
8/13/2025, Aircraft and two soles on board departed mcallen international airport (kmfe) at 17:15 conducting part-91 VFR flight enroute to laredo Texas, including a return flight to (kmfe). During return flight, PIC stated he felt a severe vibration and degradation of engine power. The pji engine monitor indicated excessive heat (red) on cylinders # 4 and #5. PIC informed houston center about his intent to divert to Zapata County Airport (kapy). Shortly after, he attemped to land on a ranch road. Aircraft touchded down 18:50, approximately 2 miles northwest of (kapy). During landing, the left wing struck a tree, aircraft spun and stuck another tree with the right wing. PIC and passenger disembarked safely. There were no injuries and the aircraft damage is considered substantial.
As the FAA filed it
8/13/2025, AIRCRAFT AND TWO SOLES ON BOARD DEPARTED MCALLEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KMFE) AT 17:15 CONDUCTING PART-91 VFR FLIGHT ENROUTE TO LAREDO TEXAS, INCLUDING A RETURN FLIGHT TO (KMFE). DURING RETURN FLIGHT, PIC STATED HE FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND DEGRADATION OF ENGINE POWER. THE PJI ENGINE MONITOR INDICATED EXCESSIVE HEAT (RED) ON CYLINDERS # 4 AND #5. PIC INFORMED HOUSTON CENTER ABOUT HIS INTENT TO DIVERT TO ZAPATA COUNTY AIRPORT (KAPY). SHORTLY AFTER, HE ATTEMPED TO LAND ON A RANCH ROAD. AIRCRAFT TOUCHDED DOWN 18:50, APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES NORTHWEST OF (KAPY). DURING LANDING, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE, AIRCRAFT SPUN AND STUCK ANOTHER TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING. PIC AND PASSENGER DISEMBARKED SAFELY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE IS CONSIDERED SUBSTANTIAL.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.