# NTSB ANC99LA060: Aeronca 15AC, N1315H, Pedro Bay, AK, May 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1999, 18:25 local (May 8, 1999, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Pedro Bay, AK - Coordinates: 59.860496, -154.029083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8605&lon=-154.0291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46274 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46274/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA060 ## Probable cause A separation of the number 3 engine cylinder head assembly, and a burned through fuel line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - Fire, emergency descent/landing - fuel system,line - burned (cause) - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot reported that while climbing through 7,000 feet msl, he smelled smoke in the airplane, followed by a rough running engine. During an emergency descent, he saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the floor boards adjacent to the rudder pedals. The pilot elected to ditch the airplane in shallow ocean water, just short of the beach. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over. The pilot said, in part: 'My legs were on fire and I just wanted to put the fire out, and get the airplane on the ground.' An FAA airworthiness inspector traveled to the accident scene, and examined the airplane wreckage. He said that upon closer inspection of the engine, it was discovered that the top portion of the number three cylinder was separated between the cylinder barrel, and the cylinder head. He added that the main fuel supply line was burned through, and disconnected from the carburetor inlet fitting. In his written statement the FAA inspector wrote, in part: '...the vibration shook loose the left engine exhaust pipe which then directed the exhaust onto the fuel line to the carburetor which caused the fire.' ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1999, about 1825 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Aeronca 15AC airplane, N1315H, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing and ditching, about 35 miles east of Pedro Bay, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Pedro Bay Airport, about 1800, and was en route to Soldotna, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 8, the pilot reported that while climbing through 7,000 feet msl, approaching the coast of Chinitna Bay, he smelled smoke in the airplane, followed by a rough running engine. He made a 180 degree turn to return to Pedro Bay, and then saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the floor boards adjacent to the rudder pedals. He then advised the Kenai Flight Service Station (FSS) that he was making an emergency descent, and that he would be attempting to land on a tidal beach within Chinitna Bay. During the emergency descent, the airplane cabin filled with smoke, hindering his vision. The pilot said that the top portion of the clamshell door was torn off when he attempted to clear the smoke from the cockpit area by opening the door during the emergency decent. The pilot said, in part: "My legs were on fire and I just wanted to put the fire out, and get the airplane on the ground." The pilot landed in the water, just short of the beach, and the airplane nosed over upon touchdown. After ditching, the fire was self-extinguished by ocean water, and the pilot waded ashore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident scene on June 23, 1999, and examined the airplane wreckage. The inspector reported that the engine compartment, firewall, instrument panel, and floor boards exhibited heavy fire damage. He said that upon closer inspection of the engine, it was discovered that the top portion of the number three cylinder was separated between the cylinder barrel and the cylinder head. He added that the main fuel supply line was burned through, and disconnected from the carburetor attach point. In a written statement the FAA inspector wrote, in part: "...the vibration shook loose the left engine exhaust pipe which then directed the exhaust onto the fuel line to the carburetor which caused the fire." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1315H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1315H-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 15AC-345, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 15AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (registry code 0191202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15AC-345 - Engines: Franklin 6A-4165 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent L. Spady - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1999, 20 hours before - Departed: AK04, AK - Destination: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19990507004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990507004739A), May 7, 1999: Aronca 15AC, Pedro Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed en route and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on may 7, 1999, about 1825 Alaska daylight time, a wheel… 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.