# NTSB FTW87LA023: North American Navion A, N91548, Springtown, TX, November 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1986, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Springtown, TX
- Coordinates: 32.889259, -97.529716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8893&lon=-97.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD TAKEN OFF WITH EMPTY TANKS SELECTED. THE ENGINE QUIT, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND BEFORE HE COULD RESTART. INITIAL REPORTS OF SERIOUS INJURY ONLY, BUT BOTH OCCUPANTS EXPIRED TWO WEEKS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91548](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91548-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N NAV-4-139, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NAVION A
- Registry model: [North American NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion) (registry code 6150130) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-139
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen G. Morris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 10 hours before
- Destination: SAT
- Airport: 61F, Kezer Air Ranch, runway 35, 2,200 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19861128082339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861128082339A), Nov 28, 1986: Tmpson NAVION/, Springtown, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft stalled and impacted the terrain. Empty fuel tanks had been selected.

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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