Windthorst, TX, USA
N222L
CESSNA 320
The pilot reported that the twin-engine airplane’s right engine lost power about 20 minutes after takeoff. The pilot’s activation of the electric boost pump restored power for a short time before the power on the right engine was again lost, after which the pilot shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller. The pilot diverted to another airport, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. As a result, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the right engine that would have precluded normal operations. Given the available evidence for this investigation, the cause of the right engine’s loss of power could not be determined.
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 picked up the airplane from Cox Field Airport (PRX), near Paris, Texas, and flew about 57 nautical miles (nm) to Sherman Municipal Airport (SWI), Sherman, Texas, where he filled the airplane’s six fuel tanks. Afterward, the pilot departed SWI for his home airport, which was Lubbock Executive Airpark (F82), Lubbock, Texas, a distance of about 261 nm from SWI. About 20 minutes after departure from SWI, the pilot detected a partial loss of power involving the right engine. He noticed that the fuel flow indication on the right engine had dropped, so he activated the electric boost pump, which restored power briefly before the engine again lost power. The pilot reported that he did not switch fuel tanks and that he subsequently shut off and feathered the right engine. The pilot decided to divert to Olney Municipal Airport (ONY), Olney, Texas, but the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. Once the pilot realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to reach ONY, he performed a forced landing to a field. The pilot 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. Postaccident examination of the airplane was limited because it had been disassembled to facilitate removal from the accident site. Examination of the right engine revealed suction and compression on all cylinders when the engine crankshaft was rotated. Both magnetos produced spark on all ignition leads when rotated by hand. Accessory gear continuity was established when the engine crankshaft was rotated. The engine fuel controls were not available for further examination. No anomalies were noted with the right engine. The airplane maintenance records were not available during the investigation of this accident.
A forced landing due to a loss of engine power on the right engine for a reason that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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