# NTSB DEN86LA088: Aeronca 7AC, N85255, Santa Rosa, NM, March 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1986, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, NM
- Coordinates: 34.940994, -104.670692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9410&lon=-104.6707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA088

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG QUIT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT AND THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED THE GASCOLATOR WAS BROKEN WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85255](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85255), registered now, S/N 7AC-3989, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-3989
- Airframe hours: 1506
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Kukulski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1985
- Destination: 5F2, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,406 total, 66 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 7 knots, gusting 2
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19860302004569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860302004569A), Mar 2, 1986: Bbavia 7AC, Santa Rosa, NM, Substantial damage. Lost power after takeoff. Off airport landing made. Found a broken fuel gascolator.

## Other investigations on N85255 (1)

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 LAX66D0188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0188), Oct 13, 1965: Aeronca 7AC (N85255), Banning, CA, 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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