# NTSB MIA91LA214: Ryan Navion A, N5103K, De Funiak Spgs, FL, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: De Funiak Spgs, FL
- Coordinates: 30.850366, -86.199653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8504&lon=-86.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA214

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A TREE AND THE GROUND DURING THE SUBSEQUENT 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, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ENGINE QUIT WHILE PILOT WAS REDUCING POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WHILE MANUEVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE AND THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHERE IT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND ACCESSORIES OR THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND. THE CAUSE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS NOT USING THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP AS CALLED FOR IN THE AIRCRAFT OPERATING CHECKLIST FOR TAKEOFF AND DID NOT TURN IT ON AFTER THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5103K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5103K-1993-04-29), registration cancelled 1993-04-29, S/N NAV42003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION A
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2003
- Airframe hours: 2351
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Darrwll R. James
- Registered owner: Darrwll R. James
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1990, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 798 total, 43 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEW, 25 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 19910902037379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037379A), Sep 2, 1991: Tmpson NAVIONA, Defuniak Spring, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. On forced landing struck tree. Did not use boost pump per aircraft flight manual.

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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