Primary finding
Probable cause
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while the airplane was on final, he noticed he was getting too low so he added power. When the throttle was advanced, the engine lost power, and a restart was not possible. The airplane came to rest in a marshy area 400 feet short of the runway. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 21, 1996, at 1728 central standard time, a Cessna 175A, Canadian registration CGROA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Angelo, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 at the time of the occurrence. The flight originated in Brownsville, Texas, at 1440. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was on final for runway 21 at Mathis Field Airport. The pilot reported that when the airplane was about 1 mile from the runway, he found himself "getting low and applied power to get back on track. The engine paused and then sputtered." He further reported that a restart was not possible. The airplane came to rest inverted in a marshy area 400 feet short of the runway. The outboard leading edge of the right wing was damaged, the nose landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the firewall skin was torn. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector did not reveal any anomalies that could have prevented normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. -