Bellanca 7ECA Citabria, N86612: Accident occurred October 30, 2021 near La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), Harris County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

https://registry.faa.gov/N86612

Location: La Porte, Texas

Accident Number: CEN22LA027

Date and Time: October 30, 2021, 14:37 Local

Registration: N86612

Aircraft: Bellanca 7ECA

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 30, 2021, about 1437 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N86612, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near LaPorte Municipal Airport (T41), LaPorte, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that while in the traffic pattern at T41, the engine lost power and the airplane began a rapid descent. The pilot applied full throttle and carburetor heat, but the engine did not respond with increased power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a pipeline right-of-way and impacted fence poles, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings.

The airplane was retained for examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bellanca 

Registration: N86612

Model/Series: 7ECA

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KEFD,32 ft msl

Observation Time: 14:50 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles 

Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /1°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 300°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Houston, TX (T41) 

Destination: Houston, TX (T41)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 29.66925,-95.064194 (est)