# NTSB MIA87LA167: North American Navion, N4007K, Defuniak Spring, FL, May 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1987, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Defuniak Spring, FL
- Coordinates: 30.850263, -86.199623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8503&lon=-86.1996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA167

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with object, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, AT APRX 500 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER. HE THEN TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE IT. UNABLE, HE THEN ELECTED TO LAND THE ACFT, DURING WHICH, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES, FELL TO THE GROUND & CAME TO REST. INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED APRX 40 GALLONS OF FUEL, OF WHICH 30 WAS AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED FAA INFORMATION THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL MAY CAUSE VAPOR LOCK. POST CRASH RUN-UP OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4007K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4007K-1989-06-26), registration cancelled 1989-06-26, S/N NAV-4-1007, built 1947 (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: NAC-4-1007
- Airframe hours: 3870
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185-I 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Sherwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1986, 85 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,450 total, 360 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEW, 20 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 19870531017209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870531017209A), May 31, 1987: Tmpson NAVION*, Defuniak Spring, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Struck trees on forced landing. Was using auto fuel without STC. Possible vapor lock.

## Other investigations on N4007K (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 MIA86LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA006), Oct 5, 1985: North American Navion (N4007K), Tallahassee, FL, substantial damage

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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