Unable To Get The Engine Power Restored, He Initiated A Forced Landing

Location: New Waverly, TX Accident Number: CEN23LA153
Date & Time: April 11, 2023, 21:13 Local Registration: N4229K
Aircraft: Ryan Navion A Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 11, 2023, about 2113 central daylight time, a Ryan Navion A airplane, N4229K, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near New Waverly, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that, after a night cross-country flight, he overflew his private airport at 1,500 ft to see if the solar lights were working. Unable to see the lights, he climbed to 2,000 ft and turned left towards Conroe. He stated that while in the turn, “the engine started to cut out,” and he initiated the emergency procedures checklist. Unable to get the engine power restored, he initiated a forced landing. He lowered the landing gear at 500 ft and turned on the landing lights, but at 400 ft, a tree appeared in front of his right wing. The airplane subsequently impacted several trees before impacting the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings.

The pilot stated that on the flight before the accident leg, the airplane had about 89.5 gallons of fuel distributed between a main tank (39.5 gallons), tip tanks (40 gallons), and an auxiliary baggage compartment tank (10 gallons). At the conclusion of that flight, about 45 gallons of fuel remained. He stated that before the accident flight, he added 52 additional gallons, which brought the total fuel on board to about 100 gallons.

A detailed wreckage examination is pending.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov