Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane shuddered after he completed maneuvers in a local practice area. After the shudder recurred, he realized that the engine was “barely running.” The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were not successful. He subsequently lowered the landing gear and executed a forced landing to a highway. The airplane encountered a highway median area during the landing and sustained damage to the outboard portion of the right wing and the right aileron. On-scene observation of the airplane indicated that the wing fuel tanks appeared to be full. A postrecovery examination of the engine and airframe fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 22, 2022, about 1530 central daylight time, a Commander 114TC airplane, N495TC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Savoy, Texas. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane shuddered after he completed maneuvers in a local practice area. After the shudder recurred, he realized that the engine was “barely running.” The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were not successful. He subsequently lowered the landing gear and executed a forced landing to a highway. The airplane encountered a highway median area during the landing and sustained damage to the outboard portion of the right wing and the right aileron. On-scene observation of the airplane indicated that the wing fuel tanks appeared to be full. A postrecovery examination of the engine and airframe fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.