North American NAVION accident near Okeechobee, Florida, November 1, 1991
On November 1, 1991 at about 2:15 pm local time, a North American NAVION, registered N8631H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida. 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
OPERATION BY THE OWNER/PILOT-IN-COMMAND WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL LINE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 1991 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Okeechobee, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N8631H · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-596
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN THAT TANK. THE PLT REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE MAIN FUEL TANK POSITION WHICH CONTAINED AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, BUT THE ENG STARTED ONLY MOMENTARILY, THEN QUIT. THE PILOT LANDED THE ACFT GEAR UP IN A FIELD. EXAM OF THE ACFT BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT A RUBBER FUEL LINE WHICH CONNECTS THE MAIN TANK TO THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS BLOCKED BY CONTAMINANTS. THE PLT HAD IN THE PAST OPERATED THE ENG USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WITHOUT AN STC. HE WAS ALSO AWARE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THAT THE ENG WOULD LOSE POWER WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE MAIN TANK.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,343 hours in all; 1,642 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 9,592 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,099 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 22, 1991; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225-4 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 00FL Okeechobee FL at 2:05 pm
- Destination: SEF Sebring FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.