On May 21, 1986, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N717WL) operated by Buddy Mattix was involved in an aviation accident near Rio Hondo, TX. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise flight, the right engine failed. The pilot's restart attempt was unsuccessful, leading to an inability to maintain altitude and a ground impact that caused substantial damage.
Engine Failure and Attempted Restart
During a cruise flight, the right engine experienced a failure. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful.
Loss of Altitude and Impact
Following the engine failure, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage.
Post-Impact Examination
Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any malfunction or failure that would have directly caused the engine failure. However, low compression was found on three of the cylinders, and the magnetos were out of timing.