Ryan Aeronautical ST3-KR accident near Blue Ridge, Texas, March 20, 1995
On March 20, 1995 at about 5:05 pm local time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST3-KR, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N54430, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blue Ridge, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 1995 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Blue Ridge, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan Aeronautical ST3-KR, amateur-built · all ST3-KRs on the register
- Registration
- N54430 · no longer on the register · serial 1728
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB FROM THE PILOT'S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE LANDED 'WITH A FAIRLY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT' AND NOSED OVER AFTER THE MAIN LANDING GEARS SANK IN THE SOFT GROUND. 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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 220 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 15,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 280 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,860 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Kinner R-55 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 5:05 pm
- Destination: ADS Addison TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
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.