About 20 Minutes Into The Flight, The Right Engine Lost Power

Location: Rockport, TX Accident Number: CEN23LA267
Date & Time: June 24, 2023, 16:15 UTC Registration: N123SM
Aircraft: Cessna 421 Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 24, 2023, about 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna 421 airplane, N123SM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rockport, Texas. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he had flown the airplane from the West Houston Airport (IWS), West Houston, Texas, to the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Corpus Christi, Texas, where he picked up the airplane owner and his friends for a return flight to IWS. Flight track data indicated that the airplane departed CRP about 1545 and headed northeast.

The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the flight, the right engine lost power and he briefly lost control of the airplane. He regained control and executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane’s landing gear separated from the airplane and the airplane came to rest on its belly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The airplane and both engines have been retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov