# NTSB ANC92LA051: Aeronca 15AC, N1469H, Port Alsworth, AK, March 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1992, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.199653, -154.279739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1997&lon=-154.2797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA051

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY CONDUCTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE LOW CEILINGS, SNOW, RAIN, ICING CONDITIONS, AND WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER STATED THAT AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO CROSS A 3,000 FOOT HIGH PASS, THEY ENCOUNTERED LOWERING VISIBILITY DUE TO RAIN, SNOW, WHITEOUT CONDITIONS, AND ICE ON THE AIRPLANE WINDSHIELD.  THE PILOT STARTED A 180 DEGREE TURN DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1469H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1469H-1994-07-28), registration cancelled 1994-07-28, S/N 15AC539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 15AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (registry code 0191202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15AC-539
- Airframe hours: 1838
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles M. Lee
- Registered owner: Charles M. Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1991, 28 hours before
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 493 total, 196 in this make and model, 367 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °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 19920323007379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920323007379A), Mar 23, 1992: Aronca 15AC, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Continued flight into pass in deteriorating weather. Trying to turn around,struck hillside. Fell onto frozen lake.

## Other investigations on N1469H (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 CHI66F0714](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0714), May 6, 1966: Aeronca 15AC (N1469H), Flushing, MI, substantial damage

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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