# NTSB ANC92LA091: Aeronca 15AC, N1480H, Memory Lake, AK, June 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1992, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Memory Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA091

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AERONCA 15AC HAD 'GONE LIGHT' ON FUEL BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGERS AND THEIR CARGO. DUE TO HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM, HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT AMOUNT OF USABLE FUEL REMAINING. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED WHILE ON DOWNWIND AT HIS DESTINATION, AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1480H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1480H-2000-08-31), registration cancelled 2000-08-31, S/N 15AC-550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 15AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca S15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-s15ac) (registry code 0191204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15AC-550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Slattery & Tom Allen
- Registered owner: Richard Slattery & Tom Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SHULIN LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 201 total, 44 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920615020199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920615020199A), Jun 15, 1992: Aronca STC15, Memory Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on downwind for landing on a lake.

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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