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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 9, 2020 · Navion G · N1011M

Fort Smith, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 2020
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Fort Smith, AR
Aircraft
Navion G (1962)
Tail Number
N1011M
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA078

Shortly after the pilot took off for a personal cross-country flight, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot lowered the airplane nose and the engine continued to operate, before losing total power. The pilot activated the electric fuel boost pump and engine power resumed for a few seconds. The pilot executed a forced landing to a grass area on airport property. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed blue staining on and around the fuel selector valve area, consistent with a degraded valve. The valve failed leak checks during multiple vacuum tests to check external and internal leakage, which were called for in the manufacturer’s service bulletin 106 A and related airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-05-14. No fuel was found in any fuel lines or components from the firewall forward to the engine fuel components, and about 20 gallons of fuel was recovered from the airplane fuel tanks. It is likely the degraded fuel selector valve was leaking air, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. Aircraft records showed that the airplane and fuel selector valve were inspected and returned to service 2 days and about 18 flight hours before the accident. Based on the amount of fuel staining on and around the fuel selector valve and air leakage noted during the tests, the valve had likely become degraded before the last inspection. Given the valve’s degraded condition, it should have been tested and repaired or replaced during the last inspection in compliance with AD 2008-05-14.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate inspection of the fuel selector valve, which was degraded, allowed fuel to leak, and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On February 9, 2020, about 1500 central standard time, a Navion G airplane, N1011M, impacted terrain during a forced landing near Fort Smith, Arkansas. The pilot, and two passengers sustained minor injuries, one passenger sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot lowered the airplane nose and the engine continued to operate. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. The pilot activated the electric fuel boost pump and engine power resumed; however, the engine lost power again within a few seconds. The pilot executed a forced landing to a grass area on airport property. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and a mechanic revealed that the fuel selector valve exhibited blue staining on and around the fuel selector valve area. The fuel selector valve was removed for further examination. No fuel was found in any fuel lines or components from the firewall forward to the engine. About 20 gallons of fuel were removed from the airplane fuel tanks during recovery. A review of the aircraft records showed that an annual inspection was completed and airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-05-14, an inspection of the airplane fuel system, was complied with on February 7, 2020, at a total tachometer time of 224.25 hours. The airplane had accumulated 18.2 hours since the inspections. The FAA inspector examined the fuel selector valve and performed vacuum tests on the valve, in accordance with Navion Service Bulletin (SB) No. 106 A, Fuel System - Inspection of the fuel system continued safe operation. Visual examination of the fuel selector valve showed blue staining, consistent with fuel, near the valve stem and inside the airplane were the fuel selector valve was mounted. Multiple vacuum tests, performed to check external and internal leakage, failed the required leak checks per the SB. The AD referred directly to the SB and stated that the fuel selector valve should be repaired or replaced if it failed the tests.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportFort Smith Regional Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNavion G
Tail NumberN1011M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550N2 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data