# NTSB CHI94LA201: Aeronca 15AC, N5114Y, Napoleon, MI, June 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1994, 20:24 local (Jun 17, 1994, 00:24 UTC)
- Place: Napoleon, MI
- Coordinates: 42.15953, -84.240325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1595&lon=-84.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA201

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for unknown reasons.  A factor related tot he accident were the trees encountered.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ONE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE FLOATPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE.  DURING THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED NOSE DOWN INVERTED IN A SWAMP AREA.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Factual narrative

On June 16, 1994, at 2024 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC floatplane, N5114Y, registered to John Neely of Munith, Michigan, and piloted by a private pilot, crashed into a swamp area following takeoff from Gillett's Lake near Napolean, Michigan.  Visual meteorological condition prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

Witnesses reported seeing the pilot attempt a takeoff during which the airplane did not become airborne.  During the second takeoff, according to witnesses, the airplane engine sounded as if it lost power.

The wreckage was inspected by Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office in Belleville, Michigan.  The inspectors reported the airplane descended and impacted the terrain in a swampy area.  The airplane came to rest in an inverted 45 degree nose down attitude with the engine buried in the swamp.  The wreckage was removed and further inspected at a local airport.  The FAA Inspector reported that no abnormalities were found with the airplane and engine which would have resulted in a loss of engine power. (See attached Inspector's Statement)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5114Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5114Y), registered now, S/N 15AC-326, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 15AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (registry code 0191202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15AC-326
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Neeley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: JXN, JACKSON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 521 total, 236 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN

## 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 19940616016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940616016389A), Jun 16, 1994: Aronca 15AC, Napoleon, MI, Substantial damage. First water takeoff unable rotate. Tried again engine lost power crashed nose down in swamp. Cause undetermined.

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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