Ryan NAVION accident near Truckee, California, July 17, 2018
On July 17, 2018 at about 2:39 pm local time, a 1951 Ryan NAVION, registered N5329K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2018 · about 2:39 pm local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION B, built 1951 · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N5329K · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-2229-B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the private pilot reported to the tower controller that the airplane had experienced a "power failure" and would be returning to the airport. A witness reported that he observed the airplane flying low and trying to make a sharp turn back toward the airport and that the engine seemed like it was sputtering. The airplane subsequently impacted the upsloping terrain hard, and came to an abrupt stop less than one mile southwest of the departure runway. All major components of the airplane were located at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although the carburetor diaphragms exhibited tearing/cracks, the fracture surfaces were consistent with impact damage. No other mechanical anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal engine operation, and the reason for the reported 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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- 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 › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 943 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TRK Truckee CA at 2:36 pm
- Destination: TRK Truckee CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 7,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 2:45 pm from TRK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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 WPR18FA198.