What happened
On August 24, 2025, at approximately 1500 EDT, a Raytheon Aircraft Company A36, registration N855DC, was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for a personal cross-country flight from Cox Field Airport (PRX) in Paris, Texas, to Gulf Shores International Airport / Jack Edwards Field (JKA).
During the approach to JKA, the pilot descended to the traffic pattern altitude and configured the GPS for landing. After lowering the landing gear and flaps, the pilot observed a significant drop in airspeed. Upon attempting to increase throttle, the pilot realized the engine was not producing power and the propeller was merely windmoliing. The aircraft was less than one mile from the runway threshold when it struck trees and impacted the ground in a vertical descent. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries to the pilot and passenger.
The investigation
Mechanical examination of the aircraft revealed that the engine and propeller had separated from the airframe. Investigators found that the aircraft was equipped with D’Shannon Aviation 20-gallon tip tanks featuring a fuel transfer system, but these tanks were empty at the time of the accident. While the fuel selector, fuel boost pump, and fuel lines functioned correctly under air testing, the left fuel tank was breached and the right tank fuel line was compromised. Fuel samples from the selector and boost pump contained 100LL aviation gasoline and showed no signs of water contamination.
Further inspection of the engine components showed:
- The engine-driven fuel injection pump drive-coupling was intact.
- The fuel metering valve, throttle assembly, and fuel manifold were all functioning normally and free of contamination.
- All cylinders showed normal operation and wear via borescope and compression testing.
- Magneto timing was verified at 21-22 degrees before top dead center.
- The air intake and exhaust mufflers were free of obstructions, though the tail pipes were crushed by impact.
- Engine control cables were attached, but continuity was broken due to impact damage.