# NTSB CEN21LA391: Cessna 320, N222L, Windthorst, TX, August 29, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 28, 2021, 19:34 local (Aug 29, 2021, 00:34 UTC) - Place: Windthorst, TX - Coordinates: 33.559235, -98.471934 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5592&lon=-98.4719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103780 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA391 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103780/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103780 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA391 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Cessna 320E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2074514), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 320E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2074514), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2021, about 1934 central daylight time, a Cessna 320E airplane, N222L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Windthorst, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had picked up the airplane from Cox Field Airport (PRX), near Paris, Texas, and flew about 57 nautical miles (nm) to Sherman Municipal Airport (SWI), Sherman, Texas, where he filled the airplane’s six fuel tanks. Afterward, the pilot departed SWI for his home airport, which was Lubbock Executive Airpark (F82), Lubbock, Texas, a distance of about 261 nm from SWI. About 20 minutes after departure from SWI, the pilot detected a partial loss of power involving the right engine. He noticed that the fuel flow indication on the right engine had dropped, so he activated the electric boost pump, which restored power briefly before the engine again lost power. The pilot reported that he did not switch fuel tanks and that he subsequently shut off and feathered the right engine. The pilot decided to divert to Olney Municipal Airport (ONY), Olney, Texas, but the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. Once the pilot realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to reach ONY, he performed a forced landing to a field. The pilot reported that the left engine continued to operate until he reduced power for the forced landing. During the landing, the airplane struck trees, and the fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane was limited because it had been disassembled to facilitate removal from the accident site. Examination of the right engine revealed suction and compression on all cylinders when the engine crankshaft was rotated. Both magnetos produced spark on all ignition leads when rotated by hand. Accessory gear continuity was established when the engine crankshaft was rotated. The engine fuel controls were not available for further examination. No anomalies were noted with the right engine. The airplane maintenance records were not available during the investigation of this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222L), registered now, S/N 320E-0053 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 320 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 320E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320e) (registry code 2074514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 320E-0053 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-N 300 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520-N 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Two Motor Odor LLC - Registered owner: Two Motor Odor LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SWI, Sherman, TX - Destination: F82, Lubbock, TX - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KCWC, 17 nm away - METAR: KCWC 290035Z AUTO 12017G22KT 10SM CLR 31/20 A2996 RMK AO2 T03140196 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20210828014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210828014099A), Aug 28, 2021: Cessna 320E, Windthorst, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he picked up the aircraft from a private strip near paris, Texas on Saturday 8/28/2021. He flew to sherman, TX (XS30) and purchased fuel… ## Other investigations on N222L (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI88LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA196), Aug 8, 1988: Cessna 320E (N222L), Springfield, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 12, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103780. 866 KB in all. - Roc with pilot (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14669407&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Airplane examination (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 796 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14755368&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20examination-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.