# NTSB CHI91LA102: Aeronca 15AC, N1340H, St.Croix Falls, WI, March 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1991, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: St.Croix Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 45.399272, -92.629821 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3993&lon=-92.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA102

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO CONDUCT A PASSENGER SAFETY BRIEFING, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION, BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS THE PASSENGER'S INATTENTIVENESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, passenger (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT AND PASSENGER RETURNED FROM LOCAL FLIGHT AND TAXIED TO HANGAR AT PRIVATE AIRSTRIP.  AN AUTOMOBILE WAS PARKED BETWEEN TAXIWAY AND HANGAR. PASSENGER EXITED AIRPLANE ON RIGHT SIDE TO GO MOVE AUTOMOBILE.  AFTER EXITING, PASSENGER WALKED FORWARD THROUGH THE PROPELLER.  ENGINE WAS AT IDLE POWER, APPROXIMATELY 500 RPM. PILOT DID NOT BRIEF PASSENGER ON PROPELLER HAZARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1340H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1340H), registered now, S/N 15AC-380, built 1949 (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-380
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Jacobs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NONE, Flying J

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 714 total, 50 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 32 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 19910303003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910303003679A), Mar 3, 1991: Aronca 15AC, St Croix Falls, WI, 1 fatal. Passenger deplaned to move auto from path of aircraft. Was struck by idling propeller as she walked forward.

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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