# NTSB CHI89DEM02: Aeronca 15AC, N1003H, Plainwell, MI, June 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1989, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Plainwell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.440845, -85.639488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4408&lon=-85.6395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEM02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED WHICH RESULTED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM BLOCKAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN ITS ENGINE LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING AND CARTWHEELED TO A STOP. THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD BEEN PREPARING THE AIRPLANE FOR ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION AND DECIDED TO GO FLYING. AFTER FILLING ONE OF THE AIRPLANES PREVIOUSLY EMPTY FUEL TANKS WITH AUTO FUEL, HE RAN THE ENGINE AND DECIDED TO TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE A PROPER STC FOR THE AUTO FUEL BEING USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1003H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1003H), registered now, S/N 15AC-5, 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-5
- Airframe hours: 2528
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Konrad J. Jockus
- Registered owner: Linda L. Jockus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1987, 35 hours before
- Airport: 61D, Otsego Plainwell, runway 27, 2,650 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 830 total, 500 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890606014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890606014389A), Jun 6, 1989: Aronca 15AC, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck ground wing low and cartwheeled. No medical or biennial. Used auto fuel. No STC.

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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