Flightstar FC-II accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, June 18, 2019
On June 18, 2019 at about 12:47 pm local time, a 1998 Flightstar FC-II, registered N354AR, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2019 · about 12:47 pm local time
- Place
- Knoxville, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Flightstar FC-II, built 1998
- Registration
- N354AR · no longer on the register · serial 220
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated the engine quit during flight, so he landed the airplane in a river and swam ashore. The airplane was submerged for more than 24-hours before being recovered. After recovery the airframe and engine were examined, but water, impact, and recovery damage inhibited thorough examinations. The fuel system was completely contaminated by water, and it could not be determined if fuel was present at the time of the accident. Examination of the electrical system could not be performed due to water damage. No obvious mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine were found, and the reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 100 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TN98 Knoxville TN at 11:50 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from TYS, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 17, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville Police Report CEN19LA175 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record Airframe and Engine Examination Findings CEN19LA175 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for the Record Post-accident Contact with Pilotowner CEN19LA175 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Video of Airplane Flying Into the River CEN19LA175 | AVI file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.