# NTSB ANC92LA175: Aeronca 15AC, N1009H, Ptarmigan Pass, AK, September 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1992, 17:30 local (Sep 8, 1992, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Ptarmigan Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930027, -151.729598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9300&lon=-151.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA175

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM, THE MISJUDGING OF THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND.  FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause)
- Overrun, landing - aborted
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED APPROXIMATELY 125 FEET PAST THE THRESHOLD OF A 700 FOOT LONG AIRSTRIP.  HE BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE WITH INCREASING PRESSURE. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS APPLYING HARD BRAKE PRESSURE HE LOST ALL PRESSURE IN THE RIGHT BRAKE.  THE PILOT STATED HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP AND HE ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT GET AIRBORNE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND OVERTURNING IN FISH CREEK. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS SHOWED THAT THE OLD DRUM BRAKE CALIPER HAD FRACTURED THROUGH THE CHAMBER CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1009H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1009H), registered now, S/N 15AC-11, built 1948 (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: 11
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hamlin, Richard
- Registered owner: Hamlin, Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1992, 60 hours before
- Departed: TALLEVUE LODGE, AK
- Destination: HARTMAN RIVER, AK
- Airport: Gravel Bar Hartman River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 51 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920907039109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920907039109A), Sep 7, 1992: Aronca 15AC, Ptarmigan Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Landed long on short strip. Right brake failed on hard braking. Ran off end, right brake caliper casting split.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.