# NTSB FTW85LA349: Ryan Navion, N91460, Midland, TX, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 32.019046, -102.099807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0190&lon=-102.0998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA349

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED ENG FAILURE DURING CLIMBOUT FROM SKY RANCH ARPT AT MIDLAND, TX. HE THEN TURNED INTO THE WIND AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN, HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE ROD FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE PLT HAD ALREADY RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND MADE AN INTENTIONAL GEAR UP LANDING ONTO WET TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91460](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91460-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N NAV-4-273, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-273
- Airframe hours: 820
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billie G. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985
- Departed: MAF, MIDLAND, TX
- Airport: 7TX6, Sky Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,460 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 1 nm away

## 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 19850914074829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914074829A), Sep 14, 1985: Tmpson NAVIONA, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Landed gear up in a pasture after engine power loss during takeoff. Piston connecting rod broken.

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.

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