# NTSB FTW95LA142: Ryan Aeronautical ST3-KR, N54430, Blue Ridge, TX, March 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1995, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Blue Ridge, TX - Coordinates: 33.290222, -96.389167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2902&lon=-96.3892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19373/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA142 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB FROM THE PILOT'S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE LANDED 'WITH A FAIRLY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT' AND NOSED OVER AFTER THE MAIN LANDING GEARS SANK IN THE SOFT GROUND. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1995, at 1105 central standard time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST3-KR, N54430, was substantially damaged during landing near Blue Ridge, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injures. The flight originated at a private airstrip near Blue Ridge, Texas, with Addison (ADS), Texas as its intended destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight. No flight plan was filed and no weather briefing was obtained for the personal flight. According to the pilot, the engine began to lose power immediately after takeoff from his private airstrip. After switching fuel tanks, the pilot elected to land the airplane straight ahead in a deep-plowed field. The pilot added that the airplane touched down with a "fairly high rate of descent," and the airplane nosed over after the main landing gears buried themselves in the soft ground. The engine was examined by the owner following the accident. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54430](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54430-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 1728, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN AERONAUTICAL ST3-KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1728 - Airframe hours: 280 - Engines: KINNER R-55 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Singleton, Don S. - Departed: NONE - Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 21,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19950320004909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950320004909A), Mar 20, 1995: Ryan ST3KR, Wesminster, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power departing Private strip nosed over in plowed field off end runway. Cause power loss unable determine. ## Other investigations on N54430 (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 CHI70D0305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0305), Jul 4, 1969: Ryan PT-22 (N54430), Delta, OH, substantial damage 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.