# Accident 20140906018709A: Navion NAVION A, Rock Hill, SC, September 6, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 6, 2014, 11:16 local time
- Place: Rock Hill, SC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.9489° N, 81.1819° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9489&lon=-81.1819&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4900K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4900K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Navion NAVION A (registry code 6150104, https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental E185 series (registry code 17014, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION NAVION A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR E185 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 280 total, 194 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA14LA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA425) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140906018709A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2014, AT 1005 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A NAVION A, N4900K, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON APPROACH TO ROCK HILL AIRPORT (UZA), ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. THE PRIVATE PILOT^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE FLIGHT THAT DEPARTED TRIPLE TREE AERODROME (SC00), WOODRUFF, SOUTH CAROLINA, ABOUT 0930. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE HAD A 60-GALLON FUEL CAPACITY, AND HE DEPARTED WITH APPROXIMATELY 26 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR THE 35-MINUTE FLIGHT TO UZA. HE THEN PLANNED TO FILL THE AIRPLANE WITH FUEL FOR A FLIGHT BACK TO COLLEGEDALE, TENNESSEE.

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT ABOUT 2,800 FEET, ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE "ABRUPTLY" STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. THE PILOT TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, MIXTURE, AND CARBURETOR HEAT, AND ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE RESTART. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND HE SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

DURING THE DESCENT, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE READING WAS 2-3 PSI, WHICH WAS WELL BELOW THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE OF 11-14 PSI. HE OPENED AND CLOSED THE THROTTLE DURING THE DESCENT, WHICH PRODUCED POWER MOMENTARILY, BUT ENGINE POWER WAS NEVER FULLY RESTORED. THE PILOT COMPLETED THE FORCED LANDING, AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND A DITCH, WHICH SEPARATED THE LANDING GEAR. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FUSELAGE, AND EMPENNAGE.

THE WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STORED IN AN IMPOUND LOT, WHERE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION WAS PERFORMED BY AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS, AS WELL AS FUEL LINES TO THE ENGINE, CONTAINED FUEL. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED BY AIRCRAFT RECOVERY SPECIALISTS, AND RETAINED FOR EXAMINATION AT A LATER DATE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA14LA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA425), Sep 6, 2014: Navion Navion (N4900K), Rock Hill, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the exhaustion of the fuel supply in the selected fuel tank and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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