# NTSB CHI87DEM06: Navion A, N4961C, Baldwin, MI, April 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Baldwin, MI
- Coordinates: 43.889282, -85.8497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8893&lon=-85.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER BEGINNING A LEVEL OFF AT APRX 6000 FT, THE ACFT ENGINE STOPPED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE ACFT CRASHED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA APRX 1/2 MILE WEST OF THE ARPT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT BOTH WING TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THE AUXILLIARY TANK CONTAINED ONE GALLON OF FUEL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED FOR THE AUXILLIARY TANK, HOWEVER, THE PLT STATED HE SELECTED THIS TANK IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4961C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4961C-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N NAV-4-1161, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION A
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NA41161
- Airframe hours: 2124
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A. Hatfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: 7D3, BALDWIN, MI
- Destination: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI
- Airport: 7D3, Baldwin Municipal, runway 27, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,086 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,116 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 11° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 60 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 19870419010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419010249A), Apr 19, 1987: Tmpson NAVIONA, Baldwin, MI, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft struck trees during landing.

## Other investigations on N4961C (2)

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 FTW68D0390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0390), Dec 2, 1967: Navion A (N4961C), Little Rock, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X2232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2232), Jun 11, 1964: Navion A (N4961C), Cameron, LA, substantial damage

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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