# NTSB ANC04CA089: Aeronca 15AC, N4433N, Big lake, AK, August 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2004, 17:15 local (Aug 7, 2004, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Big lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.575, -149.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5750&lon=-149.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59848/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions and subsequent collision with high vegetation during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a collision with the ground. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of a tailwind and bushes at the end of the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing toward the northeast from a private airstrip that was about 1,300 feet long. There were power lines and trees at the southwest end of the airstrip. The pilot reported that the weather conditions included a temperature of about 85 degrees F, and the wind conditions were from the southwest, about 15 to 20 knots. He said he decided to depart downwind, toward the northeast, because of the obstructions at the southwest end of the strip. During the takeoff, the pilot indicated that the airplane lifted off at the end of the strip, but the left main landing gear tire and the left wing clipped bushes about 5 to 10 feet above the ground. The airplane then nosed into the ground and received structural damage to the right wing and the right wing lift strut. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2004, about 1715 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Aeronca 15AC airplane, N4433N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with bushes and then the ground during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip, located about 4 miles northwest of Big Lake, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 6, the pilot reported that the gravel surfaced airstrip is about 1,300 feet long and 40 feet wide, and is oriented southwest/northeast. There are power lines and trees at the southwest end of the airstrip. The pilot reported that the weather conditions included a temperature of about 85 degrees F, and the wind conditions were from the southwest, about 15 to 20 knots. He noted that a portion of the airstrip was obscured by dust as he taxied for takeoff. He said he decided to depart downwind, toward the northeast because of the obstructions at the southwest end of the strip. During the takeoff, the pilot indicated that the airplane lifted off at the end of the strip, but the left main landing gear tire and the left wing clipped bushes about 5 to 10 feet above the ground. The airplane then nosed into the ground and received structural damage to the right wing and right wing lift strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4433N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4433N-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 15AC-322, 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: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 322 - Engines: Continental C-145 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David D. Schwartz - Registered owner: David D. Swartz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Big lake, AK - Destination: PABV, Chugiak, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 185 total, 53 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 195° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 20040806018279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040806018279A), Aug 6, 2004: Aronca 15AC, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During the takeoff, the aircraft's left wing clipped some brush at the end of the airstrip. The engine separated from fuselage and the left wing bent… ## Other investigations on N4433N (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 ANC89LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA053), Mar 16, 1989: Aeronca 15AC (N4433N), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S INPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE INSTRUCTORS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT ACTIONS WITHIN THE AIRPLANE. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.