Navion A N8513H

Summary

On 22 August 1995 at about 22:13 local time, a Navion A registered N8513H was involved in an accident near Groveland, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 August 1995 at 22:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Groveland, California, United States

Nearest airport

Pine Mountain Lake (Q68)

Coordinates

37.8502, -120.0105

Aircraft

Navion A

Registration

N8513H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA301

2 people were seriously injured.

fuel starvation, due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The engine sustained a loss of power shortly after departing on a local VFR maintenance test flight. Since there was no suitable area to land ahead, the pilot made a right turn in an attempt to return to the airport. He reported that he was unable to reach the airport. The last thing he recalled was that he tried to avoid a tree, just before impact (in a wooded area). Examination of the engine did not disclose any preexisting malfunction or failure. The fuel selector (handle) was found between the main and auxiliary fuel tank position; the fuel selector valve was found seized near a closed position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.