# NTSB BFO93LA009: Ryan Navion, N4488K, Dublin, VA, November 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1992, 15:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Dublin, VA
- Coordinates: 37.099712, -80.679275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0997&lon=-80.6793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA009

## Probable cause

IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WHICH PRODUCED AN INADEQUATE FUEL FLOW AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ROUGH TERRAIN AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - output low (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. FUEL WAS AVAILABLE, BUT THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. DURING AN EMERGENCY WHEELS-UP LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE SLID INTO A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS ADJUSTED TO A MINIMUM PRESSURE SETTING. ABOUT 4 PSI OF FUEL PRESSURE WAS AVAILABLE; A MINIMUM OF 10 PSI WAS NEEDED FOR THE PRESSURE CARBURETOR TO OPERATE. WITH THE LINE FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR BLOCKED (FOR A TEST), THE FUEL PRESSURE WOULD READ IN EXCESS OF 15 PSI. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4488K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4488K-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N NAV41488, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV4-1488
- Airframe hours: 1323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael G. Quinlan
- Registered owner: Michael G. Quinlan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1992, 22 hours before
- Departed: BTP, BUTLER CITY, PA
- Destination: 27J, NEWBURY, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 2,216 total, 22 in this make and model, 2,116 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921117047199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921117047199A), Nov 17, 1992: Tmpson NAVION*, Dublin, VA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landing gear up in field struck tree. Fuel pressure regulator adjustment too low.

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.

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