Accident Overview
On June 8, 2024, at 0645 central daylight time, a North American Navion, N91173, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and came to rest upright near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pre-Accident Events
The day before the accident, the pilot flew with his mechanic to troubleshoot an intermittent fuel pressure gauge fluctuation and occasional rough engine operation during climb. During that test flight, they observed fluctuating fuel pressure but could not replicate the rough running.
On the accident day, the pilot estimated 6 gallons of fuel in the main tank and between 12 and 14 gallons in the auxiliary tank. He initiated takeoff from runway 24 with the main tank selected. All indications were normal during the initial climb.
Loss of Engine Power
While turning onto the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine "instantaneously" lost total power. The pilot pitched for 80 mph, switched the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank, and toggled the fuel boost pump on and off. The engine abruptly resumed power, allowing the pilot to climb and turn toward runway 06. Shortly thereafter, the engine again lost total power. The airplane subsequently impacted trees before reaching the runway.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane, as well as a glider rating. His Federal Aviation Administration BasicMed qualification was completed on July 9, 2023. He reported 1,555 total flight hours, with 18 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Post-Accident Examination
Photographs provided by an FAA inspector showed substantial damage to the left wing and aft fuselage. During recovery, examination of the main fuel tanks revealed no fuel, while the auxiliary fuel tanks contained 10 gallons of fuel. The fuel tanks remained intact, and there was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. The airplane was retained for further examination at a later date.