What happened
On June 26, 2025, at approximately 11:30 central daylight time, a Tecnam P20010, registration N258CM, was involved in an accident near Temple, Texas. The aircraft was being operated by Kachemaks Bay Flying Service Inc as part of a Part 91 instructional flight.
Prior to the accident, the flight instructor had completed a preflight inspection, an engine run-up, and two touch-and-go landings without any noted issues. During the third traffic pattern, while the aircraft was on the downwind leg, the instructor switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and confirmed the electric fuel pump was active and engine instruments were normal.
While on final approach for landing, the instructor observed an uncommanded change in manifold pressure. The instructor took control of the aircraft from the student pilot and attempted to restore power by moving the throttle lever to the full forward position, but the manifold pressure did not change. No warning or caution crew alerting system (CAS) messages were received. In an attempt to recover engine power, the instructor switched the fuel selector back to the left tank, but there was no change in performance.
Unable to reach the runway, the instructor performed a forced landing into a wooded area near the airport perimeter. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the horizontal stabilator. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.