# Accident 19980612014629A: Aronca 15AC, Homer, AK, June 12, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 12, 1998, 15:00 local time
- Place: Homer, AK
- Airport: Alaska St Park
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 59.4007° N, 151.3210° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4007&lon=-151.3210&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1023H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1023H-2012-08-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 15AC (registry code 0191202, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C145 series (registry code 17012, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ARONCA 15AC
- Reported engine: FRNKLN 6A4165B3
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,639 total, 550 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA081) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980612014629A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(FROM .4) 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 GUEST 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.                                (-23) ON 06/14/98, 17:00 ADT, TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED AERONCA 15AC N1023H, CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT WAS NOT INJURED. 06/22/98 DURING TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE NTSB, THE PILOT REPORTED ON T.O. 10 MI E OF HOMER NEAR GREWINGK GLACIER ALASKA STATE PARK.THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. HE SWITCHED FROM THE LT FUEL TANK TO THE RT FUEL TANK BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN LARGE BOULDERS. THE MLG SHEARED OFF, THE LT WING STRUT WAS DAMAGED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC98LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA081), Jun 12, 1998: Aeronca 15AC (N1023H), Homer, AK, substantial damage. 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…

## Other reports on N1023H (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19870722040019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870722040019A), Jul 22, 1987: Aronca 15AC (N1023H), Charley River, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot had directional control problems and aborted the takeoff from the gravel bar. Aircraft hit tree stump.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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