# NTSB ANC91LA044: Aeronca 15AC, N1376H, Kotzebue, AK, April 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1991, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239517, -161.190963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2395&lon=-161.1910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA044

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION (WATER) IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND FUEL LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,line - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,line - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT.  DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE TUNDRA, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED WATER WAS FOUND IN BOTH FUEL LINES AND FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1376H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1376H), registered now, S/N 15AC-425 (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: 425
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-142-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Villers
- Registered owner: Larry Villers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1990, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 715 total, 210 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -15 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910401008079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910401008079A), Apr 1, 1991: Aronca 15AC, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Landed on tundra and nosed over. Found water and ice in fuel.

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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