How many accidents has the Ryan Navion had?

The NTSB has recorded 70 events involving the Ryan Navion: 13 fatal, 14 serious, 16 minor injuries, and 27 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Ryan Navion a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Ryan Navion has 70 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Ryan Navion Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 70 events recorded from 1982 to 2024.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (26 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Sep 14, 2005	Lake Geneva, WI	N2401T	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel and the pilot's inadequate preflight. A factor was the fence.
Mar 23, 2003	Mammoth Lakes, CA	N5291K	Minor	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the gus… the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the gusty crosswind.
Dec 13, 2001	Sierra Blanca, TX	N4530K	Serious (2)	substantial	the pilot's inadverent VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributi… the pilot's inadverent VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the night light conditions and the clouds.
Jul 05, 2001	Palm Beach, FL	N5265K	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 26, 2000	DAYTONA BCH SH, FL	N5117K	Minor	substantial	a loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons, that resulted in the aircraft being ditched.
Jul 22, 1999	KEOKUK, IA	N4902K	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jun 17, 1999	KLAMATH FALLS, OR	N870DR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to reinstall the engine oil filler cap during preflight, resulting in engine oil loss and the necessity for an immediate landing.
Nov 30, 1998	CARRIZOZO, NM	N2PE	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Oct 20, 1998	EAST MORICHES, NY	N4529K	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.
Sep 26, 1997	PACOIMA, CA	N5241K	Fatal (2)	destroyed	the dual student's improper positioning of the fuel selector and the CFI's inadequate supervision, which led to a takeoff with the auxiliary fuel tank… the dual student's improper positioning of the fuel selector and the CFI's inadequate supervision, which led to a takeoff with the auxiliary fuel tank selected and resulted in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the position of the nomenclature on the cockpit fuel tank selector.
Jul 11, 1997	GARFIELD, CO	N5401K	Fatal (4)	destroyed	failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during a turn to reverse direction, which resulted in a stall and collision with a pole and a buil… failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during a turn to reverse direction, which resulted in a stall and collision with a pole and a building. High density altiitude was a related factor.
Jul 06, 1997	CROSS CITY, FL	N91519	Serious (4)	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning that resulted in loss of power in flight due to fuel exhaustion.
Mar 09, 1997	MARINA, CA	N4969K	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper preflight inspection and his inaccurate fuel consumption calculations.
Mar 06, 1997	HUDSON, CO	N800PS	Incident	substantial	A total power loss due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane and its fuel system. Factors inc… A total power loss due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane and its fuel system. Factors include: the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, the improper fuel tank selector position that would not allow fuel transfer from the fuselage tank to the wing tanks, and the rough, uneven, and soft terrain on which the forced landing was made.
Oct 22, 1996	NEW HARTFORD, NY	N4564K	Fatal (2)	destroyed	A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Mar 28, 1996	KENT, WA	N4826K	Incident	substantial	the pilot's attempted operation with known deficiencies in the equipment, and a loose fuel system fitting. The pilot's failure to maintain maintenanc… the pilot's attempted operation with known deficiencies in the equipment, and a loose fuel system fitting. The pilot's failure to maintain maintenance service on the airplane was a factor.
Nov 07, 1995	MCCOMB, OH	N116JM	Serious (1)	destroyed	the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and carburetor Ice, which resulted in loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing. The carburet… the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and carburetor Ice, which resulted in loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing. The carburetor icing (weather) condition was a related factor.
May 20, 1995	TAUNTON, MA	N4285K	Minor	substantial	the failure of the pilot to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion, and a forced landing in rough terrain.
May 19, 1995	STURGIS, MI	N4568K	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the attempted landing and go-around. A factor was the crosswind weather condition.
May 16, 1995	FLAGSTAFF, AZ	N41151	Minor	substantial	The owner/pilot improper installation of the propeller by failing to properly connect the pitch change mechanism.
Jun 22, 1994	AMHERST, OH	N5360K	Minor	substantial	INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE IGNITION DUE TO WORN IGNITION WIRES.
May 21, 1994	OLYMPIA, WA	N1669Z	Fatal (2)	destroyed	AN INFLIGHT FIRE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
May 21, 1993	CUMBERLAND, RI	N4467K	Incident	substantial	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Nov 17, 1992	DUBLIN, VA	N4488K	Serious (1)	substantial	IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WHICH PRODUCED AN INADEQUATE FUEL FLOW AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCI… IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WHICH PRODUCED AN INADEQUATE FUEL FLOW AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ROUGH TERRAIN AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Feb 23, 1992	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	N39JH	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PROPELLER HYDRAULIC CONTROL PITCH SETTING BEING INCORRECT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY … THE PROPELLER HYDRAULIC CONTROL PITCH SETTING BEING INCORRECT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT THE PITCH SETTING AS THE PROPELLER WENT TO A HIGHER SETTING.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

← Ryan Navion For Sale All Ryan Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Ryan Navion Safety Record

Report an Issue