ANC95LA142

NTSB accident investigation · Aeronca 15AC · Glennallen, AK · August 16, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 16, 1995, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
Place
Glennallen, AK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N1484HAeronca 15AC
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 6, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
FAA report
19950816028479A
Case key
2720

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. High vegetation and upsloping terrain were related factors.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - uphillFactor
Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor
Nose overTakeoff

Analysis

The pilot and a passenger were departing a remote/rough landing site that was oriented north and south. The site was reported to be about 1,000 feet long with a 10 degree upslope in a southbound direction. The pilot began the takeoff roll to the south. The wind was from the southeast about 3 knots. During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel contacted a low bush, and the right wing then contacted the ground. The right main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the airplane nosed over.

Factual narrative

On August 16, 1995, about 1315 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Aeronca 15AC, N1484H, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 50 miles northwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross- country personal flight to the Lake Hood strip, Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the area of the accident was a remote and rough landing strip oriented north and south. The strip was about 1,000 feet long with a 10 degree upslope in a southbound direction. The pilot began the takeoff roll to the south. The wind was from the southeast about 3 knots. During the takeoff roll, the tail wheel contacted a low bush and the right wing then contacted the ground. The right main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane nosed over.

Aircraft

Registration
N1484H
Reported as
Aeronca 15AC
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15AC-555
Engine
Continental C-145-2, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Raymond B. Cantrell
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Destination
Z41 · Anchorage, AK

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
37
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
110 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
125° at 3 knots
Visibility
50 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N1484H · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.