# NTSB ANC08CA125: Aeronca 15AC, N1170H, Fairbanks, AK, September 16, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 15, 2008, 20:00 local (Sep 16, 2008, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 63.930278, -146.851943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.9303&lon=-146.8519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in an on-ground collision with a tree stump.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot reported that he was landing at an off-airport site when the tailwheel assembly contacted a tree trunk, resulting in structural damage to the empennage. He indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot reported that he was landing at an off-airport site when the tailwheel assembly contacted a tree trunk, resulting in structural damage to the empennage. He indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1170H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1170H), registered now, S/N 15AC-183, built 1948 (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: 15AC-183
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beckman Thomas J
- Registered owner: Beckman Thomas J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PATW, Cantwell, AK
- Destination: Fairbanks, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 341 total, 119 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080915848449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080915848449A), Sep 15, 2008: Aronca 15AC, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The tail wheel of the aircraft caught a log on roll out and was ripped off, causing substantial damage to the rear of the aircraft. Pilot was unhurt and…

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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