# NTSB CEN09CA559: Navion Navion G, N2418T, Eau Claire, MI, August 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2009, 09:25 local (13:25 UTC) - Place: Eau Claire, MI - Coordinates: 42.035556, -86.468612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0356&lon=-86.4686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA559 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74653/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74653 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA559 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Navion NAVION G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6150120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed the airport and the fuel selector was in the main fuel tank position. The main fuel tank contained 32.5 gallons of fuel. Approximately 5 minutes after departure, the pilot turned the fuel selector to the right tip fuel tank. After 15 minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to switch fuel tanks and restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot then elected to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and the firewall buckled. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the right tip fuel tank showed "trace amounts of fuel", and the pilot stated he did not check the fuel tank levels prior to departure. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector, "Had I had another 5 gallons [of fuel] in the tip, I would have been okay." Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed the airport and the fuel selector was in the main fuel tank position. The main fuel tank contained 32.5 gallons of fuel. Approximately 5 minutes after departure, the pilot turned the fuel selector to the right tip fuel tank. After 15 minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to switch fuel tanks and restart the engine; however, the attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot then elected to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and the firewall buckled. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the right tip fuel tank showed "trace amounts of fuel", and the pilot stated he did not check the fuel tank levels prior to departure. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector, "Had I had another 5 gallons [of fuel] in the tip, I would have been okay." Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2418T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2418T-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N NAV-4-2418, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NAVION NAVION G - Registry model: [Navion NAVION G](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-g) (registry code 6150120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-2418 - Airframe hours: 2717 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Regal David N - Registered owner: Regal David N - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2009 - Departed: C20, Berrien Springs, MI - Destination: C20, Berrien Springs, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 29, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 400 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20090825025439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090825025439A), Aug 25, 2009: Navion NAVION G, Eau Claire, MI, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Stated that he departed berrien springs, MI for a short flight prior to return to berrien springs. [privacy data omitted] Stated that… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74653. 516 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.