Navion NAVION accident near Fort Smith, Arkansas, February 9, 2020
On February 9, 2020 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1962 Navion NAVION, registered N1011M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fort Smith, Arkansas (Fort Smith Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate inspection of the fuel selector valve, which was degraded, allowed fuel to leak, and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 9, 2020 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Smith, Arkansas · Fort Smith Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Navion NAVION G, built 1962
- Registration
- N1011M · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-2470
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after the pilot took off for a personal cross-country flight, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot lowered the airplane nose and the engine continued to operate, before losing total power. The pilot activated the electric fuel boost pump and engine power resumed for a few seconds. The pilot executed a forced landing to a grass area on airport property. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed blue staining on and around the fuel selector valve area, consistent with a degraded valve. The valve failed leak checks during multiple vacuum tests to check external and internal leakage, which were called for in the manufacturer’s service bulletin 106 A and related airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-05-14. No fuel was found in any fuel lines or components from the firewall forward to the engine fuel components, and about 20 gallons of fuel was recovered from the airplane fuel tanks. It is likely the degraded fuel selector valve was leaking air, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. Aircraft records showed that the airplane and fuel selector valve were inspected and returned to service 2 days and about 18 flight hours before the accident. Based on the amount of fuel staining on and around the fuel selector valve and air leakage noted during the tests, the valve had likely become degraded before the last inspection. Given the valve’s degraded condition, it should have been tested and repaired or replaced during the last inspection in compliance with AD 2008-05-14.
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
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Damaged/degraded
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect service/maintenance
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,302 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 74 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 3,091 as pilot in command; 18 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 28, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,877 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550N2 (piston); 224 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSM Fort Smith AR at 8:30 pm
- Destination: FSM Fort Smith AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft; scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 25, 2020. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Examination Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Examination and Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt of Records | PDF, 3 pages | View 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.