Ryan NAVION N5104K

Summary

On 20 October 2007 at about 17:10 local time, a Ryan NAVION registered N5104K was involved in an accident near Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 October 2007 at 17:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Fe County Muni (SAF)

Coordinates

35.6169, -106.0839

Aircraft

Ryan NAVION

Registration

N5104K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Fe → Moriarty

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN08LA015

1 person had minor injuries.

A leak in the fuel selector valve and gascolator that resulted in fuel starvation during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the engine start, taxi, and engine run-up prior to takeoff were normal, without issues, or anomalies. The airplane departed from runway 28. After raising the landing gear, the pilot noted that the engine rpms were dropping through 2,100 rpm. The pilot communicated with the air traffic control tower, performed a 90 degree turn to the left to avoid terrain and obstacles, and performed a forced landing to rough, uneven terrain. During the landing the nosegear assembly and the right main landing gear separated. The airplane rotated 90 degrees to the right, slid, and came to rest on the right wing, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector valve was removed for further examination and testing. The valve exhibited fuel staining on the main tank inlet and fuel line fitting. The gascolator exhibited fuel staining on the top left side of the casting and on the bottom at the fuel sump location. During the vacuum test the valve bled down more than 10 inches in one minute. The gascolater was compromised and leaked severely. Leaks in the fuel selector valve and gascolator can allow air into the fuel system and result in the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.