Guarino VANS N470LM

Summary

On 24 February 2017 at about 01:30 local time, a Guarino VANS registered N470LM was involved in an accident near Marysville, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

24 February 2017 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Marysville, California, United States

Nearest airport

Auburn Muni (AUN)

Coordinates

39.3697, -121.4236

Aircraft

Guarino VANS

Registration

N470LM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Half Moon Bay → Auburn

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR17LA067

2 people had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the fragmentation of the electrical system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while en route on the personal cross-country flight, the engine experienced a loss of thrust, and the airspeed slowed. The propeller was windmilling, but the throttle had no effect on the engine. The pilot noted that the propeller circuit breaker had popped out but did not note any other indications of an anomaly in the cockpit. In addition, with the engine operating at partial power, the pilot was unable to maintain level flight so he configured the airplane for the best glide speed. He attempted to regain engine power twice and switched fuel tanks, to no avail. The pilot made a forced landing in a soft field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination noted no evidence of engine mechanical anomalies or thermal distress. There were several wires and a wiring harness disconnected in between the cockpit and the firewall; it is unknown if this happened after impact. During an attempted engine test, a fuel source was rigged to the left fuel tank; the starter solenoid was heard activating, but the engine would not start. An external power source was used in an attempt to start the engine; the engine cranked but would not start. Fuel continuity and pressure in the system was confirmed. The fragmentation of the wreckage, specifically the electrical system, precluded a definitive determination of the cause of the engine failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.