Probable cause
The pilot inadvertently turned off the fuel selector valve on takeoff which resulted in a loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was attempting to take off when his handheld radio fell from its holder and came to rest under a control cable. The pilot said that once the climb attitude was established, he reached down and picked up the radio and inadvertently turned off the fuel selector valve. Less than a minute later, the engine lost power. The pilot said he ran the emergency checklist and checked that the fuel was “on”, but he was too low to re-start the engine. The pilot made a forced landing north of the runway on airport property resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA161 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 1, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Martinsville, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Blue Ridge (MTV)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aeronca 7AC
- N-number
- N84065
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.