# NTSB ERA24LA254: North American Navion, N91173, Tullahoma, TN, June 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 8, 2024, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC) - Place: Tullahoma, TN - Coordinates: 35.380125, -86.246778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3801&lon=-86.2468&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA254 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during takeoff as a result of fuel starvation. ## 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: [North American NAVION, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=6150130), [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: [North American NAVION, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=6150130), [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. - [Takeoff: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [North American NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=6150130), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had experienced an intermittent fuel pressure fluctuation and rough-running engine during a previous flight, but that the condition was not present during a subsequent test flight with a mechanic. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilot visually checked the airplane’s fuel quantity; he reported that the main fuel tank contained about 6 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary tanks contained about 12 to 14 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported switching from the main tank to the auxiliary tank during the initial climb. Shortly thereafter, during the crosswind turn about 300 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest in a field. Postaccident examination found the fuel selector positioned to the main tank, which was depleted, while about 10 gallons of fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, and the fuel system remained intact with no evidence of leakage. Additionally, a service bulletin issued by the airplane type certificate holder indicated that the auxiliary fuel tank should not be used for takeoff or landing to reduce the possibility of an inadvertent loss of engine power. Based on the available information, it was likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2024, about 0645 central daylight time, a North American Navion airplane, N91173, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had experienced an intermittent fuel pressure fluctuation and rough-running engine during a previous flight. He reported that the condition was not present during a subsequent test flight with a mechanic. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilot visually checked the airplane’s fuel quantity; he reported that the main fuel tank contained about 6 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary tanks contained about 12 to 14 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal. After takeoff, he retracted the landing gear and flaps, reduced engine power, turned the fuel boost pump on, and reported switching from the main fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank during the initial climb. Shortly thereafter, during the crosswind turn about 300 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power, and the engine briefly regained power before losing power again. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field near the airport. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest upright in the field. The pilot reported that he shut off the fuel and electrical power before exiting the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine performed by an FAA inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel system and tanks remained intact with no evidence of leakage or spillage. Approximately 10 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks, while the main fuel tanks were depleted of fuel. The cockpit fuel selector was found positioned to the Main tank. A service bulletin issued by the airplane type certificate holder indicated that the auxiliary fuel tank should not be used for takeoff or landing to reduce the possibility of an inadvertent loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91173](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91173-2024-11-09), registration cancelled 2024-11-09, S/N NAV4227 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NAVION - Registry model: [North American NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion) (registry code 6150130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV4227 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1518 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E185 SERIES 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2024, 6.5 hours before - Departed: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: THA, Tullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Fld, runway 06, 5,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,555 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: THA - METAR: KTHA 081135Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/13 A2998 RMK A01 ## 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 20240608007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240608007079A), Jun 8, 2024: North American NAVION, Tullahoma, TN, Substantial damage. On June 8th, 2024, around 6:45 am local time, an aircraft crashed on the ground about 1000 ft short of runway 6 while attempting to land at the local regional… ## Other investigations on N91173 (1) 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 CHI67D0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0027), Apr 23, 1967: Navion A (N91173), Waterville, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194436. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18887942&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20(2)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mor FAA statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20390838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Accident%20statement%20LA254-Rel.pdf - Annual inspection (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18906977&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N91773%20Annual%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Auxiliary fuel system placarding (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18886847&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SB%20107%20Auxiliary%20Fuel%20Placard_Redacted-Rel.pdf - L-17 flight manual excerpts (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 759 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20337395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=L-17%20Flight%20handbook%20excerpts%20LA254-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18888482&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.