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June 8, 2024 · North American Navion · N91173

Tullahoma, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Aircraft
North American Navion (1946)
Tail Number
N91173
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA24LA254

On June 8, 2024, at 0645 central daylight time, a North American Navion, N91173, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had flown with his mechanic the day before the accident in an attempt to diagnose an intermittent fuel pressure gauge fluctuation and occasional rough running engine during climb. During that flight, they observed the fluctuating fuel pressure indication, but were not able to replicate the rough running engine. The pilot departed on the accident flight the next day with an “estimated” 6 gallons of fuel in the main fuel tank and between 12 and 14 gallons in the auxiliary tank. The pilot initiated the takeoff from runway 24 with the main fuel tank selected and stated that all indications were normal during the initial climb. While turning onto the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern at an altitude about 300 ft above ground level, the engine “instantaneously” lost total power. The pilot pitched the airplane for a speed of 80 mph, switched the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank, and “toggled” the fuel boost pump on and off. The engine “abruptly” began producing power again and the pilot was able to climb the airplane and turned toward runway 06, but shortly thereafter, the engine again lost total power. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest upright before the runway. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He also held a glider rating. His Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) BasicMed qualification was completed on July 9, 2023. The pilot reported 1,555 total hours of flight experience, of which 18 hours was in the accident airplane make and model. Review of photographs provided by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aft fuselage. During recovery of the airplane, examination of the main fuel tanks revealed no fuel; the auxiliary fuel tanks contained 10 gallons of fuel. The fuel tanks remained intact and there was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. The airplane was retained for further examination at a later date.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2024, about 0645 central daylight time, a North American Navion airplane, N91173, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had experienced an intermittent fuel pressure fluctuation and rough-running engine during a previous flight. He reported that the condition was not present during a subsequent test flight with a mechanic. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilot visually checked the airplane’s fuel quantity; he reported that the main fuel tank contained about 6 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary tanks contained about 12 to 14 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal. After takeoff, he retracted the landing gear and flaps, reduced engine power, turned the fuel boost pump on, and reported switching from the main fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank during the initial climb. Shortly thereafter, during the crosswind turn about 300 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power, and the engine briefly regained power before losing power again. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field near the airport. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest upright in the field. The pilot reported that he shut off the fuel and electrical power before exiting the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine performed by an FAA inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel system and tanks remained intact with no evidence of leakage or spillage. Approximately 10 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks, while the main fuel tanks were depleted of fuel. The cockpit fuel selector was found positioned to the Main tank. A service bulletin issued by the airplane type certificate holder indicated that the auxiliary fuel tank should not be used for takeoff or landing to reduce the possibility of an inadvertent loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 CDT
Nearest AirportTullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Fld (0.5nm N)
Runway06
Runway Length5501 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American Navion
Tail NumberN91173
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · E185 SERIES · Reciprocating · 205
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Basc · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F / 55 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time06:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data