Amateur-built 540 accident near La Porte, Texas, February 3, 2024
On February 3, 2024 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1993 amateur-built 540, registered N321JA, was substantially damaged in an accident near La Porte, Texas (La Porte airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 3, 2024 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- La Porte, Texas · La Porte · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 540, built 1993
- Registration
- N321JA · registry record · serial 0011
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 to 400 ft above the runway, the engine started popping and misfiring and then lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to wet grass with standing water, during which the airplane flipped over and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Postaccident examination revealed 15 gallons of fuel in the fuselage fuel tank and continuity of the fuel system. Impact damage precluded an engine run. The examination of the fuel-injected engine and fuel system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have resulted in a misfire or loss of engine power. 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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,106 hours in all; 1,458 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 2,024 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 14, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,021 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 20, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 2,021 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: T41 La Porte TX at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,135 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.53 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from KEFD, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEFD 032054Z 26007KT 10SM FEW025 21/12 A2953
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 5, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Examination Summary Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Accident Report Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.