North American NAVION accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee, June 8, 2024
On June 8, 2024 at about 11:45 am local time, a 1946 North American NAVION, registered N91173, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Tullahoma, Tennessee (Tullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during takeoff as a result of fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2024 · about 11:45 am local time
- Place
- Tullahoma, Tennessee · Tullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION, built 1946 · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N91173 · no longer on the register · serial NAV4227
- 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 he had experienced an intermittent fuel pressure fluctuation and rough-running engine during a previous flight, but that the condition was not present during a subsequent test flight with a mechanic. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilot visually checked the airplane’s fuel quantity; he reported that the main fuel tank contained about 6 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary tanks contained about 12 to 14 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported switching from the main tank to the auxiliary tank during the initial climb. Shortly thereafter, during the crosswind turn about 300 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest in a field. Postaccident examination found the fuel selector positioned to the main tank, which was depleted, while about 10 gallons of fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, and the fuel system remained intact with no evidence of leakage. Additionally, a service bulletin issued by the airplane type certificate holder indicated that the auxiliary fuel tank should not be used for takeoff or landing to reduce the possibility of an inadvertent loss of engine power. Based on the available information, it was likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation.
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 related during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,555 hours in all; 18 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,518 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 19, 2024; 6.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor E185 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: THA Tullahoma TN at 11:43 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 5,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 am from THA
Weather report (METAR): KTHA 081135Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/13 A2998 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA24LA254.