Amateur-built CHALLENGER N265JW accident near Doniphan, Missouri

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the flight he attempted to increase engine power to climb over a densely wooded hillside; however, the engine did not respond. Unable to clear the hill, he decided to execute a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing rollout, the airplane struck a fence. The pilot noted that the engine did not stop running during the flight, but that he was unable to increase engine power.

Postaccident engine examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and the engine was started and ran at idle speed with no anomalies noted. The pilot speculated that some type of fuel flow restriction had resulted in the partial loss of engine power. Weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing at glide power. However, the engine was equipped with a slide-type carburetor which, due to their design, are generally not susceptible to icing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA221 for the full record.