# NTSB CEN21LA303: Aeronca 15AC, N1175H, Hastings, MI, June 30, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 30, 2021, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hastings, MI - Coordinates: 42.66739, -85.35251 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6674&lon=-85.3525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 103405 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103405/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103405 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA303 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aeronca 15AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0191202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor were conducting a flight review. About 45 minutes into the flight, the engine “sputtered” and lost power following a practice go-around. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that they departed on the flight with 8 gallons of fuel in the left-wing tank and 7 gallons of fuel in the right-wing tank. The flight instructor recalled that, shortly before the loss of engine power, the left and right tanks contained about 8 gallons and 2 gallons, respectively. The mechanic who recovered the airplane reported that about 6 gallons remained in the left fuel tank and 2 gallons in the right fuel tank. The fuel caps were secure, and the accident site did not exhibit any evidence of a fuel spill. A postaccident examination and engine test run did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Continuity of the airframe fuel system was confirmed. The reason that fuel was being drawn predominantly from the right fuel tank could not be determined. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2021, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC airplane, N1175H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hastings, Michigan. The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that, about 45 minutes into a flight review, the engine lost power following a practice go-around. The pilot noted that the engine was “good and strong” during the initial portion of the go-around. About 400 ft above ground level, the engine “sputtered” and lost power. When the pilot leveled the wings, engine power was restored. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, and the engine subsequently lost power again, after which the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a grass area on airport property. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted near the perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left-wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported that they departed on the flight with about 15 total gallons of fuel; 8 gallons in the left wing fuel tank and 7 gallons in the right wing fuel tank. The airplane was equipped with sight gauges at each wing root to indicate fuel quantity. The flight instructor recalled that, shortly before the loss of engine power, about 8 gallons and 2 gallons of fuel remained in the left and right fuel tanks, respectively. The mechanic who recovered the airplane reported that about 6 gallons remained in the left fuel tank and 2 gallons remained in the right fuel tank. The fuel caps were secure, and the accident site did not exhibit any evidence of a fuel spill. A postaccident examination and engine test run did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Continuity of the airframe fuel system was confirmed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1175H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1175H), registered now, S/N 15AC-188, 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: 15AC-188 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 2875 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2021 - Departed: 9D9, Hastings, MI - Airport: 9D9, Hastings - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; last flight review March 15, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 525 total, 241 in this make and model, 2 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 7, 2019; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,454 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,363 as pilot in command, 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 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 15 nm away ## 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 20210630011589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210630011589A), Jun 30, 2021: Aeronca 15AC, Hastings, MI, Substantial damage. On June 30, 2021 at 1935 local time, an Aeronca 15AC aircraft, N1175H, registered to and operated by a private pilot, received substantial damage when it nosed… ## Other investigations on N1175H (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 CHI72DEC14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DEC14), Oct 2, 1971: Aeronca 15AC (N1175H), Morenci, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103405. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12629211&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Rpt%20--%20CEN21LA303_redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 634 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12629427&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN21LA303-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12659094&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Steve%20Krummrey%20--%2008Jul2021-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12660580&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Tom%20Werkema%20--%2007Jul2021-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12661534&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20FAA_Mathews%20--%2008Jul2021-Rel.pdf - Airplane examination summary (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12664901&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN21LA303-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12664758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Doug%20Krummrey%20--%2024Aug2021-Rel.pdf 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.