19990909029039A

(.19) On September 9, 1999, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC tail-wheel equipped airplane, N9044E, was substantially damaged during landing roll following a precautionary landing near Vanhorn, Texas. The commercial rated pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91 personal cross-country flight. The airplane was picked up from brenham, Texas, and was being ferried to tulare, California. The last re-fuel stop was at fort stockton, Texas, about 2 hours prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the owner of the airplane stated that the 8-gallon auxiliary fuel tank had not been used since he owned it. The pilot filled the auxiliary fuel tank prior to his departure and sumped the fuel tank to check for sediment and/or water, and found none after the second sump. During the first leg of the flight, the auxiliary fuel tank transferred approximately one gallon of fuel to the 15-gallon main fuel tank. During the second leg of the flight, approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel transferred from the auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel. Tank. On the third leg of the flight, the pilot had to deviate form his planned course to avoid thunderstorms in the area. The pilot stated that he noticed that the main fuel tank quantity decreased to approximately a quarter of its capacity and appeared to stay at that level. The pilot added that he kept monitoring the fuel quantity of the auxiliary fuel tank; however, it did not appear to be decreasing. The pilot estimated that he 1-2 gallons of fuel remaining in the main fuel tank and approximately 8 gallons of fuel remaining in the auxiliary tank, when he elected to make a precautionary landing in an open area. According to the pilot, during the landing roll, at about 15 miles per hour, the main landing geaar impacted a rut made by 4-wheel drive vehicles. The left main landing gear folded aft, the right main landing gear collapsed, damaging the landing gear-to-fuselage attaching points on the right side of the airplane. The left aft wing strut was dented, the left wing tip was dented, and one of the propeller blades was broken off. (-23)pilot was on third leg of a flight from brenham, TX. To tulare, CA. After just purchasing aircraft, N9044E when he noticed the main fuel quanity indicator reading approx. 1/4 tank and noticed the auxillary fuel tank indication was not decreasing and estimating that he had approx. 1-2 gallons of fuel left he elected to make a precautionary landing in an open area. Where on landing roll out the aircraft tires struck ruts in the field causing the main landing gear to fail on the left side damaging the gear, fuselage, prop, and engine, left wing, and strut. (.4)according to the pilot, who was the new owner of the airplane, the previous owner stated that the auxiliary fuel tank had not been used since he owned the airplane. The pilot filled the auxiliary fuel tank prior to the cross-country flight, sumped the tank twice for sediment and/or water, and found none. During the first two legs of the flight the auxiliary fuel tank appeared to be draining into the main fuel tank; however, during the third leg of the flight, the main fuel tank quantity went down to 1-2 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary fuel tank remained full. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in an open area. During the landing roll, the main landing gear impacted a rut and collapsed. A mechanic, who helped recove r cover the airplane, stated that the auxiliary fuel tank had drained into the main fuel tank by the itme they recovered the airplane a few days after the accident.