Ryan NAVION accident near Pensacola, Florida, July 29, 2021
On July 29, 2021 at about 7:28 pm local time, a 1950 Ryan NAVION, registered N114ST, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pensacola, Florida (Ferguson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb, which resulted in a forced, off-airport landing and impact with trees and a fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2021 · about 7:28 pm local time
- Place
- Pensacola, Florida · Ferguson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION A, built 1950 · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N114ST · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-2021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot and two passengers were departing from the pilot’s home airport for a cross-country flight. According to the pilot, the weather was hot, so he was expecting the takeoff roll to be longer than normal, about 2,000 to 2,500 ft of the 3,225 ft runway. The density altitude was computed to be about 2,300 ft, and the airport elevation was 32 ft. After the preflight inspection and engine runup, which the pilot stated were normal, he commenced the takeoff roll. The pilot stated that shortly after rotating, beginning the initial climb, and retracting the landing gear, the engine rpm decreased from about 2,600 to 2,300 rpm, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude in level flight. As a result, he maneuvered for an off-airport forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree and a security fence. A postcrash fire ensued, resulting in significant thermal damage to the engine and its components. Witnesses described that during the takeoff the airplane appeared slow, used more runway than normal for takeoff, and lifted off near the end of the runway. Additionally, a witness reported that the engine sounded “a little rough.” Postaccident examination of the wreckage, which included a complete engine disassembly, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined from the available evidence.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,500 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,362 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225-4 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Anthem Towels LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 82J Pensacola FL at 7:26 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18/3, 3,225 ft by 140 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from NPA, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KNPA 291856Z 20010KT 10SM SCT041 SCT280 33/25 A3000 RMK SLP161 T03280250 PNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA21FA308.