On February 18, 1984, a Navion A (registration N91123) was involved in an aviation accident near Albany, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine stoppage due to fuel starvation caused by a contaminated fuel supply (water and rust) and insufficient fuel quantity in the active tank, with minimal fuel remaining in the right tip tank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed into a tree and fence during a forced landing after engine stoppage during initial climb. Investigation revealed only one cup of fuel mixed with water and rust in the tank being used, with less than 5 gallons remaining in the right tip tank.
What happened
The aircraft experienced an engine stoppage during the initial climb phase following takeoff. The pilot was forced to execute a landing maneuver due to the loss of power. During this forced landing, the aircraft impacted a tree and subsequently struck a fence before coming to rest.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft's fuel system revealed critical deficiencies in fuel quantity and quality. The tank currently being used contained only approximately one cup of usable fuel. This small amount was contaminated with water and rust particles. Additionally, the right tip tank held less than 5 gallons of fuel. No other fuel sources were available aboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the insufficient and contaminated fuel supply. The presence of water and rust in the active fuel tank likely caused the engine stoppage. The lack of adequate fuel reserves in both the main and tip tanks left no margin for error during the initial climb.
Probable cause
Engine stoppage due to fuel starvation caused by a contaminated fuel supply (water and rust) and insufficient fuel quantity in the active tank, with minimal fuel remaining in the right tip tank.