# NTSB CHI89DEP06: Aeronca 15AC, N1271H, Fort Atkinson, WI, July 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 19:00 local (Jul 3, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Atkinson, WI
- Coordinates: 42.919521, -88.839202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9195&lon=-88.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP06

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING & TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN TREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL TANK AND CARBURETOR. AFTER DRAINING THE CARBURETOR AND FUEL TANK AND ADDING FUEL, THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUN FOR 1 MINUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1271H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1271H), registered now, S/N 15AC-284 (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: 284
- Airframe hours: 3430
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Jones
- Registered owner: Robert M Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1988, 69 hours before
- Departed: 52C, COTTAGE GROVE, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 276 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JVL, 20 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 19890702018799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702018799A), Jul 2, 1989: Aronca 15AC, Fort Atkinson, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Overshot open field on forced landing down wind and crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N1271H (2)

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 NYC74DGT13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74DGT13), Oct 20, 1973: Aeronca 15AC (N1271H), Columbia C Rds, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC72FGT01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FGT01), Aug 9, 1971: Aeronca 15AC (N1271H), Liberty, PA, substantial damage

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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