Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X N47YC

Summary

On 15 July 2021 at about 15:00 local time, a Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X registered N47YC was involved in an accident near Lebanon, Tennessee, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 July 2021 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Lebanon, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Fall Creek Field (TN96)

Coordinates

36.1904, -86.3157

Aircraft

Dehavilland Canada DHC-1 CHIPMUNK X

Registration

N47YC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1950

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Lebanon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA288

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before departure, the right tank was half full, the left tank was full, and that he took off with the fuel selector set to the left tank. The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost power. He maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, and it impacted trees and terrain before coming to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings, and the pilot was seriously injured. An examination of the fuel system and engine did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The cockpit fuel selector handle was found in the right tank position. The right fuel tank was ruptured during the impact sequence and contained no fuel. The left tank, which the pilot reported that he was using at the time of the loss of engine power, held an adequate amount of fuel. Fuel was found in the line from the fuel pumps to the carburetor. The reason for the sudden loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.