# NTSB ANC95LA142: Aeronca 15AC, N1484H, Glennallen, AK, August 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1995, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Glennallen, AK - Coordinates: 62.099094, -145.530319 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0991&lon=-145.5303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2720 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2720/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA142 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. HIGH VEGETATION AND UPSLOPING TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1484H-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 15AC-555, built 1957 (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: 15AC-555 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950816028479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950816028479A), Aug 16, 1995: Aronca 15AC, Glennallen, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart short upgrade remote strip. On liftoff tail caught low bush. Wing hit. Gear separated. Nosed over. ## Other investigations on N1484H (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 ANC81DAG59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG59), Aug 5, 1981: Aeronca 15AC (N1484H), Anchorage, AK, 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. --- 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.