Activated The Electric Boost Pump Which Restored Power For A Brief Time, But Then The Engine Again Lost Power

Location: Windthorst, TX Accident Number: CEN21LA391
Date & Time: August 28, 2021, 19:34 Local Registration: N222L
Aircraft: Cessna 320E Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 28, 2021, about 1934 central daylight time, a Cessna 320E airplane, N222L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Windthorst, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he had recently acquired the airplane and was on the flight back to his home airport. He departed the Cox Field Airport (PRX), near Paris, Texas and flew to the Sherman Municipal Airport (SWI), Sherman, Texas, a distance of about 57 nm, where he filled all 6 fuel tanks. After fueling the airplane, he departed SWI with an intended destination of the Lubbock Executive Airpark (F82), Lubbock, Texas, a distance of about 261 nm.

About 20 minutes after departure from SWI, the pilot detected a loss of power on the right engine. He noticed that the fuel flow indication had dropped, and he activated the electric boost pump which restored power for a brief time, but then the engine again lost power. The pilot reported that he did not switch fuel tanks and subsequently shut off and feathered the right engine. He decided to divert to the Olney Municipal Airport (ONY), Olney, Texas, but was not able to maintain altitude. Upon realizing that he did not have sufficient altitude to reach ONY, he performed a forced landing to a field. He reported that the left engine continued to operate until he reduced power for the forced landing. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and the fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov