# NTSB ERA14LA425: Navion Navion, N4900K, Rock Hill, SC, September 6, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2014, 10:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Rock Hill, SC - Coordinates: 34.94889, -81.181945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9489&lon=-81.1819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report February 17, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA425 ## 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. ## 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 A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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 A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that the airplane departed on the 52-mile flight with about 30 gallons of fuel on board, of which about 4 gallons were in the auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot stated that the airplane was in cruise flight about 2,800 ft and that the engine power was set at 21 inches of manifold pressure and 2,000 rpm. 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 and mixture and carburetor heat, and attempted an engine restart. However, the engine would not restart. The pilot stated that, during the descent, he noticed that the fuel pressure reading was 2 to 3 pounds per square inch (psi), which was well below the normal operating range of 11 to 14 psi. The pilot selected an open field about 3 miles from the destination airport for the forced landing, during which the airplane struck a ditch and fence, which resulted in the separation of the landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane and the engine and its accessories revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Although the pilot stated that, after the accident, he reentered the airplane and turned the fuel selector valve and the electric fuel pump to the "off" position, photographs taken during the airplane's recovery revealed that the fuel selector was in the "aux" position. Fuel was found in the main tanks, but the auxiliary fuel tank was empty. Based on the engine's fuel consumption rates, the estimated 4 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank would have been consumed during the accident flight at either a slow or fast-cruise power setting. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2014, at 1005 eastern daylight time, a Navion 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/owner and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which 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 in the main tanks, and about 4 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary tank, for the 35-minute flight to UZA. He then planned to fill the airplane with fuel for a flight back to Collegedale, Tennessee. The pilot stated the airplane was in cruise flight about 2,800 feet, and the engine power was set at 21 inches of manifold pressure and 2,000 rpm. 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 the pilot selected an open field for a forced landing about 3 miles from the destination airport. 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 pilot stated that after the accident he reentered the cockpit and moved the fuel selector and the electric fuel pump switch to the "off" position. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued June 20, 2014. The pilot reported 525 total hours of flight experience, of which 194 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was manufactured in 1949, and was equipped with a 205- horsepower Continental E-185-3 six-cylinder engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed October 1, 2013, at 3,262.9 total aircraft hours. 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 main fuel tanks, as well as fuel lines to the engine, contained fuel. The airplane wreckage was subsequently recovered by aircraft recovery specialists, who stated there was fuel in the maintanks, but the auxiliary fuel tank was empty. Photographs taken during recovery revealed that the fuel selector was in the "Aux" position. The engine and airframe were examined in Atlanta, Georgia on October 22, 2014. A borescope examination of the cylinders revealed normal wear signatures. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller, and continuity was established through the powertrain and valve train to the accessory section. Compression was confirmed using the thumb method. Both magnetos produced spark at all terminal leads. The carburetor was disassembled with no blockages or anomalies noted. The engine-driven fuel pump was undamaged, and intact in its mount. The pump was removed, and the fuel pump inlet line was submerged in a solvent tank. When actuated with an electric drill, the pump discharged solvent from the outlet port. The electric fuel pumped fluid when actuated, utilizing the airplane's electrical system. Examination of a Navion "Range Chart" for a Continental E-185-3-equipped airplane revealed fuel consumption rates of 8 gallons per hour at 1,700 rpm, 10 gallons per hour at 1,900 rpm, and 12.5 gallons per hour at 2,180 rpm at 2,000 feet altitude. At 70 percent power, cruise airspeed for the Navion was about 130 knots. The straight-line distance from SC00 to UZA was 50.2 nautical miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4900K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4900K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-1900, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NAVION 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: NAV-4-1900 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 3263 - Engines: Continental E-185-3 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mckenney Inc - Registered owner: Mckenney Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2013, 75 hours before - Departed: SC00, Woodruff, SC - Destination: KUZA, Rock Hill, SC - Airport: UZA, Rock Hill/York Co/Bryant Field, runway 02, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2012; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 525 total, 194 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KUZA, 3 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 20140906018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140906018709A), Sep 6, 2014: Navion NAVION A, Rock Hill, SC, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90035. 10.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Electric Fuel Pump Test (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Electric%20Fuel%20Pump%20Test-Master.PDF - Fuel Consumption Chart (item 4, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Consumption%20Chart-Master.PDF - Navion Specifications (item 5, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Navion%20Specifications-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 8, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.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.