Aeronca 15AC N1023H
12 June 1998 · Homer, Alaska, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 12 June 1998 at about 23:00 local time, a Aeronca 15AC registered N1023H was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Homer, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 59.4007, -151.3210
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 15AC
- Registration
- N1023H
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC98LA081
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and an improper fuel selector valve. Factors in the accident were turbulent wind conditions, the improper replacement of the fuel selector valve by an airplane mechanic, and the failure of an FAA inspector to ensure the approval of the fuel selector valve was suitable for the fuel system design.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The certificated commercial pilot was departing a remote area in a tail wheel equipped airplane. The pilot reported the right fuel tank contained nine gallons of fuel, the left fuel tank contained 6 gallons, and the right fuel tank was selected. The airplane did not have a fuel selector position for 'Both' fuel tanks. The airplane did not have a header tank installed in the fuel system. The fuel tanks do not contain any internal baffles. The pilot said a crosswind was blowing from the west about 15 knots, and that during the initial climb, a gust of wind 'pushed the airplane sideways.' He said the sideways motion sloshed fuel away from the right fuel tank line, and the engine quit about 150 feet above the ground. He reported he switched the fuel selector to the left fuel tank, but the engine did not restart. The airplane's original fuel selector valve was an 'ON/OFF' valve, and selection of a particular tank was not possible. The accident airplane's fuel valve was changed in the past to a three position valve having 'LEFT', 'RIGHT', and 'OFF.' The installation of the valve was approved by an airplane mechanic and an FAA inspector.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aeronca 15 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jul 1998 | Aeronca 15AC | Kodiak, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 May 1999 | Aeronca 15AC | Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Aug 2000 | Aeronca 15AC | Pettigrew, Arkansas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 2000 | Aeronca 15AC | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Aug 1995 | Aeronca 15AC | Glennallen, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 2002 | Aeronca 15AC | Sitka, Alaska, United States | James L. Marrs | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1998 | Boeing 747-400 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Asiana Airlines | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Nov 1998 | Piper PA-12 | Willow, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Feb 1998 | Cessna 207 | Homer, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 Nov 1998 | Piper PA-18-150 | Kenai, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 1998 | Taylorcraft BL12 | Sitka, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 May 1998 | Cessna 208 | Nome, Alaska, United States | Baker Aviation Inc. | Serious injuries | - |