# NTSB CHI87LA189: Aeronca 15AC, N1135H, St Bonifacius, MN, August 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1987, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: St Bonifacius, MN
- Coordinates: 44.900604, -93.739746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9006&lon=-93.7397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA189

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE ACFT & HAD OBTAINED A FERRY PERMIT TO FLY IT TO ANOTHER ARPT. HE REACHED THE VICINITY OF THE DESTN & CALLED THE TOWER, BUT DID NOT SEE THE ARPT. APRX 15 MIN LATER, WHEN HE WAS SURE HE HAD PASSED THE ARPT, HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO START BACK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. HE INITIATED AN EMERG LANDING ON A ROAD, BUT A TRACTOR WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE ROADWAY AHEAD, SO HE MANEUVERED TO LAND IN A FIELD. WITH VERY LITTLE ALT TO MANEUVER, HE SAW A POWER LINE AHEAD & TRIED TO CROSS UNDER IT. HOWEVER, THE TAIL OF THE ACFT CONTACTED THE LOWEST CABLE, THEN THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN & IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1135H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1135H), registered now, S/N 15AC-151, 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-151
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Young & Rich Auto Sales
- Registered owner: James H. Guest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MFI, MARSHFIELD, WI
- Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 965 total, 4 in this make and model, 877 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM

## 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 19870806045299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870806045299A), Aug 6, 1987: Aronca 15AC, St Bonifacius, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel trying to locate an airport. Struck wires trying to land on a road. Failed to ask for assistance.

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.

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