Amateur-built XS Mono N194XS accident near Eastsound, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot inadvertently shut off the engine control unit, which resulted in the engine turning off before the runway landing was attained.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he reduced airspeed and lowered the landing gear and flaps while on downwind for the runway. The landing gear and flaps used a single control lever, which he had to “wrestle” with to get into the “locked” position. While he attempted to lower the landing gear and flaps the engine lost all power. He extended the downwind leg so he could attempt to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, he turned toward the runway and the airplane impacted trees short of the runway threshold. The pilot later reported, after simulating the accident sequence in the airplane, that while extending the flaps and landing gear, he likely inadvertently closed, or turned off, a switch that controls the engine control unit (ECU), an action which results in an immediate engine stoppage.”

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA158 for the full record.