Introduction
On May 28, 2015, at about 1343 central daylight time, a Raytheon Aircraft Company G36 airplane, registration N224TB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport (DZB) in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Background
Approximately six weeks before the accident, the pilot aborted a takeoff at DZB when the engine did not develop the expected manifold pressure. Subsequent troubleshooting by the pilot and an aviation mechanic revealed no replicable anomalies. The mechanic examined the airplane at Burnet Municipal Airport (BMQ) but could not replicate the reported engine issues. The pilot later flew the airplane back to DZB.
Accident Sequence
On the day of the accident, the pilot completed an uneventful engine runup before attempting takeoff on runway 17. During the takeoff roll, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power when manifold pressure reached about 25 inches. The pilot reduced throttle, the engine resumed normal operation, and he aborted the takeoff. After taxiing off the runway, he attempted to troubleshoot but could not replicate the issue during a runup with normal operation at 28 inches of manifold pressure.
Deciding to fly to BMQ for further maintenance, the pilot began a takeoff with 30 inches of manifold pressure and 33 gallons per hour fuel flow. The engine power decreased to 25 inches during the takeoff, but the pilot continued the takeoff because he felt committed. He retracted the landing gear, adjusted the throttle, and selected the auxiliary fuel pump to low, then high. After the total loss of engine power, he returned the pump to low or off, and the engine regained some power—insufficient to climb. The pilot attempted a forced landing toward a nearby highway but descended into trees during a left turn and impacted the highway. The cockpit became engulfed in flames shortly after impact. The pilot exited the airplane with serious injuries.
Witness Observations
The airport manager observed the initial aborted takeoff and the subsequent takeoff attempt, noting that the airplane did not accelerate normally and became airborne about 4,000 feet into the takeoff roll. Two motorists on Highway 71 saw the airplane descending in a left-wing-down attitude into trees and the roadway. After impact, the airplane caught fire, and the pilot was seen exiting the right side of the airplane. One motorist assisted the pilot away from the fully engulfed airplane.
Postaccident Examination
The airplane wreckage showed extensive fire damage, particularly to the fuselage and right wing. The left wing and empennage had impact and fire damage. The fuel system could not be tested due to fire damage; the fuel selector position could not be determined. The left flap and landing gear were found retracted. The engine, a turbo-normalized Continental IO-550-B, exhibited significant fire damage. Despite impact and fire damage, crankshaft rotation confirmed continuity to all cylinders. The magnetos produced spark. The engine-driven fuel pump was fire-damaged but its drive coupling was intact. The fuel metering unit had separated and was damaged; its fuel screen was clear. The fuel manifold contained a small amount of water. Several fuel injector nozzles were obstructed by moisture; the No. 2 injector was obstructed by two small particles. The turbocharger had impact damage, and the wastegate was found open. The manifold pressure controller and pressure relief valve were not located. The engine examination did not reveal any mechanical failures that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.