# NTSB ANC91LA051: Aeronca 11AC, N3436E, Kahiltna Glac., AK, April 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1991, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Kahiltna Glac., AK
- Coordinates: 62.450366, -149.789627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4504&lon=-149.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA051

## Probable cause

A DOWNDRAFT AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL COMING OUT OF A MOUNTAIN BOWL, HE ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT.  HE ADDED FULL POWER, WHICH DID NOT ARREST THE DESCENT, BEFORE THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.  HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE AIR HAD BEEN CALM WHEN HE FLEW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3436E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3436E-1994-02-14), registration cancelled 1994-02-14, S/N 11AC1748 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11AC-1748
- Airframe hours: 4159
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8-F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Fitzgerald
- Registered owner: William J. Fitzgerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1990, 67 hours before
- Departed: AK44, TALKEETNA, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 660 in this make and model, 679 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910409009489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910409009489A), Apr 9, 1991: Bbavia 11AC, Kahiltna Glacie, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered severe downdraft and crash landed on a glacier.

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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