# NTSB CEN24LA107: Edge 540, N321JA, La Porte, TX, February 3, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 3, 2024, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: La Porte, TX · On La Porte Municipal Airport - Coordinates: 29.67, -95.1 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6700&lon=-95.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA107 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 to 400 ft above the runway, the engine started popping and misfiring and then lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to wet grass with standing water, during which the airplane flipped over and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Postaccident examination revealed 15 gallons of fuel in the fuselage fuel tank and continuity of the fuel system. Impact damage precluded an engine run. The examination of the fuel-injected engine and fuel system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have resulted in a misfire or loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 2024, about 1430 central standard time, an Edge 540 airplane, N321JA, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near La Porte, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after a normal runup, she took off from unway 30 at La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas. Engine power was normal during the takeoff roll and liftoff. About midfield and 200 to 400 ft above the runway, the engine started to make loud popping noises and lost power. Multiple witnesses at the airport reported hearing the engine popping and misfiring. One witness reported that the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward a grassy area . Upon touchdown, the airplane flipped over and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and elevator. Postaccident examination revealed that there was about 15 gallons of fuel inside the fuselage tank; however, both main wing fuel tanks were empty. The fuel selector valve was selected to the fuselage tank. The pilot reported that she often operated with the two main wing tanks empty to help with airplane center of gravity while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The fuel tanks were not compromised. Impact damage to the engine and propeller precluded an engine run. Continuity of the fuel lines was confirmed from the fuselage fuel tank to the flow divider on the engine. Both the electric pump and engine-driven fuel pump moved fuel through the system as designed. Engine continuity was confirmed when the engine crankshaft was rotated through at the propeller. The right magneto produced a spark through each ignition harness lead. The left magneto was impact separated but produced a spark through each lead when tested by hand. The examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N321JA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Edge 540 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0011 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 2021 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 20, 2023 - Departed: T41, La Porte, TX - Airport: T41, La Porte, runway 30, 4,135 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2021; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,106 total, 1,458 in this make and model, 2,024 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.53 inHg - Observed at: KEFD, 5 nm away - METAR: KEFD 032054Z 26007KT 10SM FEW025 21/12 A2953 ## 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 20240203022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240203022039A), Feb 3, 2024: Cirrus Design Corp SR22T, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft was departing and at midfield the engine lost power and the pilot landed aircraft on the airport infield, which was covered in mud and water due… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193744. 11.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19406111&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Operator%20Accident%20Report%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19415770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ROC-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19406606&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Examination summary statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19406616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Dollens%20Investigation%20Edge%20362024_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpts (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19405817&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident report photographs (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19428753&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.