Accident Details
On July 29, 2021, at approximately 1428 eastern daylight time, a Ryan Navion A, registration N114ST, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pensacola, Florida. The airline transport pilot, who was also the aircraft owner, and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Preflight and Takeoff
The aircraft departed from Ferguson Airport (82J) in Pensacola, with a planned destination of Executive Airport (ORL) in Orlando, Florida, about 350 nautical miles away. The pilot reported that the aircraft was 180 pounds under maximum gross weight, with a useful load of 876 pounds. The temperature was at least 94°F, and the postaccident-computed density altitude was about 2,300 feet. Preflight inspection, engine runup, and magneto checks were normal, and flight control checks revealed no anomalies.
The pilot estimated a required takeoff roll of 2,000 to 2,500 feet. During the takeoff roll, acceleration appeared "okay," but the roll was longer than normal, as expected. All engine indications remained in the normal range. Witnesses at the airport reported that the engine sounded "rough" and the aircraft appeared slow during the roll, using nearly the entire 3,325-foot runway before becoming airborne.
Climb and Forced Landing
After rotation and initial climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear. Immediately afterward, engine rpm decreased from 2,600 to about 2,300 rpm, while manifold pressure remained normal. At approximately 200 feet mean sea level, the aircraft could no longer maintain level flight and began to descend. The pilot made a right turn to attempt a forced landing on a school's running track. Realizing the aircraft would not reach the track, he instructed passengers to brace for impact and left the landing gear retracted to maintain airspeed.
The aircraft struck a tree and a 6-foot-tall chain-link security fence before impacting the school's parking lot and coming to rest. A postimpact fire erupted immediately.
Postaccident Evidence
Security camera video from the school showed the aircraft initially climbing from left to right, then disappearing. About 45 seconds later, it reappeared from right to left on school property, in a nose-high pitch attitude with wings level during impact. Another camera captured the postimpact fire, which burned for about 10 minutes before being extinguished.
The impact path extended about 100 feet, oriented on a magnetic heading of approximately 310°, beginning with trees and a fence at an elevation of 28 feet. The paved parking lot was about 3/4 mile southwest of the departure end of runway 18 at 82J. Wreckage was compact, with all major components accounted for. Flight control continuity was confirmed from control surfaces to the cockpit.
Fuel tanks were breached, and the postimpact fire consumed the inboard half of the right wing, the cockpit and instrument panel, and sections of the aft right engine compartment. The engine's accessory section sustained extensive heat damage. Both propeller blades showed little polishing or chordwise scraping, and the spinner had slight damage with minimal rotational indications. Spark plugs exhibited no anomalous damage. Both magnetos showed impact and thermal damage, with internal components grinding when manually rotated.
Internal engine components appeared well lubricated. The oil filter pleats were burned, but no ferrous material or debris was found. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no indication of preimpact mechanical failure or anomaly that would preclude normal operation.