# NTSB WPR14LA337: Ryan Navion, N4533K, Fresno, CA, August 10, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2014, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.837501, -119.868331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8375&lon=-119.8683&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89841/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89841 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA337 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while the airplane was on short final to the runway, he increased power to maintain the glideslope and then heard a muffled "bang or chug," followed by the engine sounding "as if it were drowning." The airplane started to descend, and the pilot executed an off-airport landing. During the landing sequence, the left wing impacted a fence. The airplane then crossed a median and came to rest against a second fence. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2014, about 1020 Pacific daylight time, a Ryan Navion, N4533K, experienced a partial loss of engine power during approach to land at Sierra Skypark Airport (E79) in Fresno, California. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Madera Municipal Airport (MAE), Madera, California at about 0950. The pilot reported that the accident flight was the second flight of the day; the airplane was operating as usual and showed no indications of a potential malfunction. When approaching the destination airport to land, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the runway. While on short final, the pilot increased power to maintain the glideslope when he heard a "muffled bang or chug" followed by the engine sounding "as if it was drowning." The airplane started to descend, and the pilot executed an off airport landing. During the landing sequence, the left wing impacted a fence, before the airplane traversed across a median, and came to rest against a second fence. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the fuel system was intact and evidence of fuel was noted throughout. The spark plugs were removed and no damage was noted. The engine was rotated by hand and compression was evident on all six cylinders, the magneto impulse coupling also fired. The oil filter was removed and found to be clear of debris. The propeller blade tips were curled forward. At the conclusion of the engine examination no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were revealed that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4533K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4533K-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N NAV-4-1533, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION (B) - 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-4-1533 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 3548 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flaugher Jonathan - Registered owner: Flaugher Jonathan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2013, 30 hours before - Departed: MAE, Madera, CA - Destination: E79, Fresno, CA - Airport: E79, Sierra Sky Park Airport, runway 30, 2,473 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 28, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,714 total, 117 in this make and model, 4,269 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 8 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 20140810016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140810016439A), Aug 10, 2014: Ryan NAVION, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. When on final approach the pilot noted that he was about 95 mph and was sinking too fast so he added power and pitched the the nose up to reduce airspeed. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89841. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Email - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 481 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.