Ryan NAVION A accident near Torrington, Wyoming, July 25, 2011
On July 25, 2011, a Ryan NAVION A, registered N4911K, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Torrington, Wyoming (Torrington airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The carburetor’s failure to meet its operating limits at the low range, which resulted in a loss of engine power when the pilot reduced power for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2011
- Place
- Torrington, Wyoming · Torrington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION A · all NAVION As on the register
- Registration
- N4911K · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-1911
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he leaned the mixture while en route, but could not find the peak performance. He set the mixture control to what he thought it was appropriate for 5,000 to 6,000 feet altitude. As he entered the landing pattern at his destination, he lowered the landing gear and prepared for landing. As he reduced the throttle position, the engine lost all power, and the descent rate increased. The pilot determined that the airplane would not glide to a runway and maneuvered to an open area. The airplane touched down hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor was removed and connected to a test cell. The unit was found out of limits at the low end of its operating range. Thus, with the fuel mixture leaned and a subsequent reduction in the power for landing, a temporary disruption of the fuel flow caused the engine to sputter and lose power.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Related operating info
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Related operating info
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 410 hours in all; 23 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: July 11, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,371 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-13 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Liddle Cable CO INC
The flight
- Departed from: LBF North Platte NE at 10:35 pm
- Destination: TOR Torrington WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 5,703 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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 WPR11LA346.