Beechcraft A-36 | N3215U

The Probable Cause of this accident is Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot encountered a standard loss of thrust in cruise abnormal and elected to attempt to land the aircraft on runway 34 at TX40. The engine failure was likely caused by the failure to securely place the oil filler cap on securely at the previous fuel stop. The engine eventually seized in flight, and sprayed oil on the front wind screen. The accident pilot elected to fly a left downwind to the short 2600-foot runway, and then mis handled the abnormal by selecting gear down while on the downwind leg, and did not make it to the runway due to increased drag. Both front seat occupants were killed on impact due to the high G vertical impact after the aircraft hit the power lines. The accident pilot mishandled this very simple abnormal because he was not ready for it, and because he placed high priority on making it to a paved runway and having his gear down for landing.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves for this AQP scenario, specifically loss of thrust and off field forced landings. This pilot passed up dozens of suitable safe opportunities to land gear up, full flaps off field. An off field landing with the gear up is almost no damage to aircraft, and guaranteed survival for occupants. WHEN YOU PRIORITIZE MAKING IT TO A PAVED RUNWAY – YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.