Cessna O 1E accident near Fredericksburg, Texas, April 16, 2014
On April 16, 2014 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna O 1E, registered N50WP, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Fredericksburg, Texas (Silver Wings airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 2014 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fredericksburg, Texas · Silver Wings · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna O 1E E
- Registration
- N50WP · registry record · serial 61-2970
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a pilot in the tandem-seat airplane. He reported that, immediately after the pilot receiving instruction turned the airplane from the downwind to the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power. He took control of the airplane and called for the magnetos and boost pump to be turned on as he switched fuel tanks. He was unable to find a suitable landing area, so he attempted a landing to a small field. During the landing and while he was attempting to avoid a tree at the end of the field, the airplane struck a cattle pen. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,101 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TS36 Fredericksburg TX
- Destination: TS36 Fredericksburg TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N50WP the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.