Beech A36TC N136RM accident near Sylmar, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

While descending toward the destination airport for landing, the private pilot made a "mayday" call and reported to air traffic control that he had "no throttle, no engine at all." Witnesses saw the airplane flying about 30 to 40 ft above ground level when it turned and descended into a flat, open field adjacent to a highway. Wreckage examination revealed that the airplane likely stalled and impacted the terrain in a nose and left-wing low attitude. Postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane on approach to a relatively benign emergency landing area.

Postaccident examination did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded the production of rated engine power and fuel was onboard. Although impact damage precluded a test run of the engine, teardown examination revealed no anomalies with the engine or its internal components. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR18FA219 for the full record.