Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X accident near Lebanon, Tennessee, July 15, 2021
On July 15, 2021 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1950 Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X, registered N47YC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lebanon, Tennessee (Fall Creek Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2021 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lebanon, Tennessee · Fall Creek Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X, built 1950
- Registration
- N47YC · no longer on the register · serial 147X
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, before departure, the right tank was half full, the left tank was full, and that he took off with the fuel selector set to the left tank. The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost power. He maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, and it impacted trees and terrain before coming to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings, and the pilot was seriously injured. An examination of the fuel system and engine did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The cockpit fuel selector handle was found in the right tank position. The right fuel tank was ruptured during the impact sequence and contained no fuel. The left tank, which the pilot reported that he was using at the time of the loss of engine power, held an adequate amount of fuel. Fuel was found in the line from the fuel pumps to the carburetor. The reason for the sudden loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.
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 initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 9,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 18, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,179 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 17, 2021; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,080 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Dehavilland Gypsy Major (piston); 960 hours total
The flight
- Destination: M54 Lebanon TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,700 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 am from KMQY, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMQY 151556Z 24004KT 10SM FEW032 SCT049 29/23 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP228 T02940228
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 22, 2023. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts - Maintenance Logbooks | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 12 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.