Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 27, 2010 · Champion Aeronca 7HC · N8919R

Louisville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Champion Aeronca 7HC
Tail Number
N8919R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA10LA449

During the initial takeoff, with the airplane about 800 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a loss of power. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) took authority of the controls and elected to land in an open field within a residential area. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a street stop sign and separated both main landing gears, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the carburetor's brass float had a perforation located at its lowest point in the bowl. The perforation exhibited surface features such as pits and roughening consistent with a chemical etching reaction, similar to corrosion. The affected areas on the float were consistent with a small quantity of corrosive liquid having been retained in the bottom of the carburetor bowl for a sufficient time. The perforation in the float most likely adversely affected the carburetor’s performance and led to the loss of engine power. The carburetor had been restored and it is likely that the fuel system was not properly flushed after the restoration process to remove any possible foreign object/liquid contamination.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination resulting in damage to the carburetor float.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 2010, at about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Champion Aeronca, 7HC, N8919R, owned and operated by a private individual, incurred substantial damaged during a force landing following a loss of engine power near the Blue Lick Airport (07KY), Louisville, Kentucky. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, instructional flight. The owner/student pilot stated that the airplane went through a restoration process. The wings were removed for repairs, new fabric work, and the carburetor was overhaul by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved repair facility and reinstalled upon its return in June of 2009. The airplane’s paint job was completed around November of 2009. The airplane’s engine was initially started at that time. Since then, it was estimated the engine had about 2 hours of ground runs prior to the accident. The owner/student pilot stated that about 3 weeks prior to the accident, he had taxied and performed engine ground runs to get familiarized with the airplane and to check it out before starting the tail wheel instructional training. The CFI stated that earlier in the day he and the student flew once in the pattern so he could get a feel of the airplane and commented that the airplane’s performance was unremarkable. They landed taxied to the fix base operator and parked the airplane. They disembarked and went in to start ground school. After lunch they return to the airplane for the actual flight training; once again, the student in the front and the CFI in the back seat. The preflight and ground run up checks were unremarkable. The student was at the controls at takeoff and started a right bank at an estimated altitude of 800 feet above the ground when they were surprised by the sudden loss of total engine power. The CFI took over the controls and elected to land in an open field within a residential area. The airplane’s right wing impacted with a street stop sign and a phone cable box. Both main landing gear bent and separated aft before the airplane came to a stop in the open field. The responding FAA inspector stated that a post recovery examination of the airplane revealed about 16 gallons of aviation fuel in the tanks. Fuel was observed up to the carburetor system. All cylinders had compression when checked and sparks were noted at the spark plugs during propeller rotation. A post recovery engine run was performed. The engine started and produced power. After the engine run, the carburetor was removed and was partially disassembled. One of the floats was observed with a noticeable hole (perforated) at the lowest point of the float. The carburetor was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for metallurgical examination. The dimensions of the perforation were 0.14 inch long and 0.09 inch in width. The region surrounding the perforation exhibited surface features such as pits and roughening consistent with a chemical etching reaction, similar to corrosion. The location of the perforation and surrounding etched areas on the float were consistent with a small quantity of liquid, which was corrosive to brass, remained retained in the bottom of the carburetor bowl a sufficient time for the chemical reaction. The corrosion progressed to the point the float’s skin disintegrated, creating the perforation. Review of the carburetor overhaul documentation revealed the float was reused and was not required to be replaced at that time. The overhaul facility returns the newly overhaul carburetors dry; without any preservative treatment.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion Aeronca 7HC
Tail NumberN8919R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 SERIES · Reciprocating · 140
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 78 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data