# NTSB ANC91LA101: Aeronca 7AC, N84903, Chataniak Vly, AK, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 22:00 local (Jul 17, 1991, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Chataniak Vly, AK
- Coordinates: 64.929748, -146.610748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9297&lon=-146.6107&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 December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA101

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect
  - fuel system,selector/valve - other
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE PROBLEM DURING HIS TAKEOFF AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE LAKE.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE, AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEST RUN, SHOWED NO REASON FOR A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE.  HOWEVER, THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS MISLABELED.  THE CENTER POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS LABELED 'MAIN,'  BUT WAS ACTUALLY AN 'OFF' POSITION.  IT WAS UNDETERMINABLE WHAT POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN DURING THE TAKEOFF AND CRASH SEQUENCE.  AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED WITHOUT A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84903](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84903), registered now, S/N 7AC3622 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4702468
- Airframe hours: 4601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kent Sherman
- Registered owner: Kent Sherman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 110 hours before
- Destination: BRADLEY SKY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 204 total, 79 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910716027649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716027649A), Jul 16, 1991: Bbavia 7AC, Chatanika Valle, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from water takeoff. Floatplane crashed on tundra. Auto fuel. Fuel selector mislabeled.

## Other investigations on N84903 (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 ANC94LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA025), Dec 9, 1993: Aeronca BL-7AC (N84903), Circle City, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH LEAD TO AN INADVERTENT AERODYNAMIC STALL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ICE FOG…

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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