FTW98LA320

During a visual approach, while turning base leg for landing at the end of a cross-country flight, the engine lost all power and the aircraft landed in trees off the approach end of the runway of intended use. Examination of the engine provided no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction; however, it did provide evidence of an overly lean mixture in the form of white carbon like material on the spark plugs. Verification of fuel remaining at the time of the accident was not possible due to impact damage which compromised the fuel system.

On July 19, 1998, at 1615 mountain daylight time, a Navion G, N2498T, was destroyed following a loss of engine power while landing at Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated from Grand Junction, Colorado, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident.

According to the pilot, he was on final approach to runway 27. When he added power, the "engine quit." The aircraft landed short of the runway, impacting trees. The left wing was sheared off, the right wing was destroyed, the fuselage was split at the empennage, the engine was separated from the firewall, and the landing gear was destroyed.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction within the engine. The inspector did find that the spark plugs were coated with a white carbon like material. The aircraft fuel system was compromised during impact and verification of fuel on board at the time of the accident could not be established.