On June 27, 1983, a Ryan NAVION-A (registration N5040K) was involved in an aviation accident near Kenedy, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the engine power loss could not be determined. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced repeated engine power loss shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilot to execute an emergency landing with the gear retracted due to terrain hazards.
Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to lose power. The pilot reported that the engine quit and restarted several times while attempting to return to the airport. During the approach for an emergency landing approximately three miles from the airport, the pilot elected to land with the gear retracted because of terraces in the landing area.
The reason for the power loss was not verified during the investigation.
The cause of the engine power loss could not be determined.