# NTSB ERA24LA161: Navion Navion B, N5429K, Sanford, FL, March 29, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2024, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL · Off to right of runway 27R, in grass - Coordinates: 28.78308, -81.24972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7831&lon=-81.2497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194030 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194030/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194030 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA161 ## Probable cause A sudden loss of all engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=6150112), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Navion NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=6150112), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Navion NAVION B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=6150112), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the preflight, engine start, taxi and initial takeoff were normal. Shortly after retracting the landing gear, while still over the runway, the engine lost all power. The airplane descended back to the runway, landed hard, and skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower and aft fuselage. Postaccident examination of the fuel system and engine after recovery of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical failure or anomaly. There was an adequate supply of fuel on board. The reason for the sudden loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 2024, about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Navion B airplane, N5429K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sanford, Florida. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the preflight inspection, engine start, and taxi to runway 27R at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Sanford, Florida, were normal. Once cleared for takeoff, he advanced the throttle to full power and all engine indications were “green.” Shortly after takeoff, and after retracting the landing gear, “everything went silent” and the engine lost all power. The airplane descended back onto the runway, landed hard with the landing gear retracted, and skidded to a stop on the runway surface. The pilot and the passenger egressed the airplane and were met by first responders. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Substantial damage was confirmed to the lower and aft fuselage. After recovery of the wreckage to the owner’s hangar, the engine was examined. The fuel tanks contained an adequate supply of fuel. The top spark plugs were removed and the engine’s crankshaft was turned manually using the propeller. Compression and suction were confirmed on all cylinders. The cylinder interiors were examined with a lighted borescope; no anomalies were found with the piston heads, valves, or cylinder walls. The electric fuel pump was energized and pumped normally. The engine-driven fuel pump was normal in appearance. The right magneto was turned and produced spark on all towers. The left magneto could not be tested. No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the engine and airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5429K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5429K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-2329B, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NAVION Navion B - Registry model: [Navion NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-b) (registry code 6150112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-2329B - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 3385 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 2024, 53 hours before - Airport: SFB, Orlando Sanford International, runway 27R, 11,002 × 149 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,230 total, 183 in this make and model, 2,134 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: KSFB, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KSFB 291653Z 02005KT 10SM CLR 23/09 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP212 T02280089 ## 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 20240329004449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240329004449A), Mar 29, 2024: Navion NAVION B, Sanford, FL, Substantial damage. After rotation and climbing to approximately 50 AGL, with landing gear raised, pilot experienced a loss of power. While pilot was managing the engine controls,… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194030. 11.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474356&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt - airframe logbook (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474021&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Excerpt%20-%20Aircraft%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt - engine logbook (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474700&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Excerpt%20-%20Engine%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474610&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage examination summary (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 734 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Navion b checklist (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20N5429K%20Checklist-Rel.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.