# NTSB NYC97LA105: North American Navion, N91711, Fredericksburg, VA, June 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1997, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.900997, -79.409553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9010&lon=-79.4096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39366/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=39366 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed go-around which resulted in the inflight collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine was losing power during the final approach so he elected to perform a go-around during which the airplane collided with trees off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions. The fuel tank was intact and observed to be about 3/4 full. A report of the wreckage examination by the FAA Inspector stated that 'the engine appears to have been running at time of impact....There was no apparent reason for the engine to quit.' Also the previous refueling facility was tested for contamination with negative results. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 1997, about 1930 eastern daylight time, a North American Navion, N91711, was destroyed when it collided with trees during a go-around at the Dogwood Airpark, Fredericksburg, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. There was no flight plan for the personal flight that departed Orange, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the engine was losing power during the final approach, and he elected to go-around. The pilot further reported that the engine continued to lose power during the go-around and collided with trees off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions. A report of the examination from the FAA Inspector stated that "the engine appears to have been running at time of impact." A fuel sample was taken from the previous refueling facility with negative results for contamination. The report also stated that "there was no apparent reason for the engine to quit. No fuel spill at [accident] site. Aircraft has a center fuel tank that was still intact." The fuel tank was observed to be about 3/4 full. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91711](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91711-1998-12-22), registration cancelled 1998-12-22, S/N NAV4445 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American NAVION - Registry model: [North American NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion) (registry code 6150130) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NA-4-445 - Engines: Continental E225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard N Snyder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1996 - Departed: W93, ORANGE, VA - Destination: VA42 - Airport: VA42, Dogwood Airpark, runway 27, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JYO, 45 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 19970605013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970605013449A), Jun 5, 1997: Tmpson NAVION*, Falmouth, VA, Destroyed. Aircraft experienced engine problems on landing, couldn't maintain altitude, crashed into trees. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2000, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=39366. 600 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Report (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Report-Master.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.