# NTSB LAX86LA254: North American Navion A, N91608, San Jose, CA, June 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.34019, -121.879386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3402&lon=-121.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA254

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT'S ENGINE FAILED APRX 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE DURING THE FORCED LANDING THAT FOLLOWED. POST ACCIDENT INPSECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE AUX TANK. THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE FULL. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY WHEN FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANK WAS SELECTED. THE ENGINE RAN ONLY 17 SECONDS BEFORE QUITTING WHEN THE AUX TANK WAS SELECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91608](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91608), registered now, S/N NAV-4-341, 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 E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-341
- Airframe hours: 1668
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-3 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 687 total, 40 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV, 1 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 19860616025299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860616025299A), Jun 16, 1986: Tmpson NAVION/, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation and the aircraft struck a pole. The pilot failed to check fuel selector.

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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