# NTSB MIA92LA021: North American Navion, N8631H, Okeechobee, FL, November 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1991, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.24052, -80.81948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2405&lon=-80.8195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA021

## Probable cause

OPERATION BY THE OWNER/PILOT-IN-COMMAND WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL LINE.

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN THAT TANK.  THE PLT REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE MAIN FUEL TANK POSITION WHICH CONTAINED AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, BUT THE ENG STARTED ONLY MOMENTARILY, THEN QUIT.  THE PILOT LANDED THE ACFT GEAR UP IN A FIELD. EXAM OF THE ACFT BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT A RUBBER FUEL LINE WHICH CONNECTS THE MAIN TANK TO THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS BLOCKED BY CONTAMINANTS.  THE PLT HAD IN THE PAST OPERATED THE ENG USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WITHOUT AN STC.  HE WAS ALSO AWARE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THAT THE ENG WOULD LOSE POWER WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE MAIN TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - fuel system,line - blocked(total)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,line - blocked(total)
  - fuel tank selector position - selected, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8631H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8631H-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N NAV-4-596, 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 E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-596
- Airframe hours: 3099
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-4 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Swartz, Grant L.
- Registered owner: Swartz, Grant L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: 00FL, OKEECHOBEE, FL
- Destination: SEF, SEBRING, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,343 total, 1,642 in this make and model, 9,592 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19911101049929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911101049929A), Nov 1, 1991: Tmpson NAVION*, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Landed gear up. Took off on near empty aux tank. Aware main fuel tank line clogged.

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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