# NTSB CEN25LA403: Aeronca 11AC, N86326, Longmont, CO, September 29, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 29, 2025, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.1672, -105.1019 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1672&lon=-105.1019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 201754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA403 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that there was a total loss of engine power while 1,200 feet above ground level and about 6 nautical miles short of his destination. He performed an off-airport landing, in a pasture, with cows at the far end. During short final, the pilot had to maneuver to avoid rough terrain and a fence and then flared the airplane too high and yawed to one side which resulted in a hard landing. The tailwheel collapsed and there was substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that a miscalculation of fuel quantity and fuel burn led to the fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86326](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86326), registered now, S/N 11AC-132, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11AC-132 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1717 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hand Flyers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 2025 - Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO - Destination: LMO, Longmont, CO - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 1,145 total, 3 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KLMO, 3 nm away - METAR: KLMO 291755Z AUTO 06003KT 10SM CLR 25/07 A3015 ## 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 20250929018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250929018349A), Sep 29, 2025: Aeronca 11AC, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot in command had 8.5 gallons on board for a local flight with pattern practice at greeley. Stated fuel burn to be 4 gallons an hour based on tach time.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201754. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19672109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19672332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-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.