# NTSB ANC00LA129: Aeronca 15AC, N1455H, Anchorage, AK, September 21, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2000, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160869, -149.989395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1609&lon=-149.9894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA129

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for high, gusty wind conditions during water taxi.  Factors associated with the accident are high and gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

The pilot was taxiing the float-equipped airplane to parking after landing at a dedicated seaplane base.  While turning, a strong, gusty wind pushed the airplane nose down into the water, and the airplane collided with a dock.

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 2000, at 1515 Alaska daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC airplane, N1455H, sustained substantial damage when it nosed down during taxi from landing at the Lake Hood Seaplane base, Anchorage, Alaska.  The private pilot was not injured.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that after landing on the southeast waterway, he made a 90-degree turn to the left.  During the turn, a gust of wind nosed the airplane down, and it collided with a dock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar, rudder assembly, aileron, and windshield.

The 1453 ADT hourly weather observation taken at the Ted Stevens-Anchorage International Airport, located one-half mile west of the accident site, reported winds from 150 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 38 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1455H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1455H), registered now, S/N 15AC-525, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 15AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (registry code 0191202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 525
- Airframe hours: 3508
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter F. Kephart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2000, 47 hours before
- Destination: LHD
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,914 total, 1,858 in this make and model, 1,808 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 27 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000921041719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000921041719A), Sep 21, 2000: Aronca 15AC, Anchorage, AK, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot in command landed on lake Hood on an approximate 120 degree heading and kept the aircraft on the step and commenced a left turn towards the east.…

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.

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