# NTSB FTW98LA320: Navion G, N2498T, Telluride, CO, July 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1998, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Telluride, CO - Coordinates: 37.939212, -107.900802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9392&lon=-107.9008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43173/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA320 ## Probable cause Pilot operating the aircraft with an overly lean mixture. A factor was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - mixture - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2498T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2498T-1998-12-01), registration cancelled 1998-12-01, S/N NAV42498 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Navion G - Registry model: [Navion NAVION G](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-g) (registry code 6150120) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV4-2498 - Airframe hours: 1382 - Engines: Continental IO-470-H6B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alan G. Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Destination: TEX - Airport: TEX, Telluride Regional, runway 27, 6,870 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,832 total, 1,136 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TEX, 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 19980719024859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980719024859A), Jul 19, 1998: Tmpson NAVIONG, Telluride, CO, Substantial damage. (.4)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… 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.