Summary
On January 11, 2013, a Heinz Rans S-4 Coyote (N571K) was involved in an incident near Lake Pleasant, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered.
The pilot stated that after about 30 minutes of flight he advanced the throttle and the engine went to idle power, then stopped. He restarted the engine and determined that it would only operate at idle power before it stopped again. He was over rocky terrain and determined that the best option was to ditch the airplane in the river he was flying over. After he ditched the airplane in the river, he swam to shore. The airplane sank and will not been recovered.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA092. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N571K.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated that after about 30 minutes of flight he advanced the throttle and the engine went to idle power, then stopped. He restarted the engine and determined that it would only operate at idle power before it stopped again. He was over rocky terrain and determined that the best option was to ditch the airplane in the river he was flying over. After he ditched the airplane in the river, he swam to shore. The airplane sank and will not been recovered.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA092