# NTSB DEN93LA071: Aeronca 7AC, N2915E, Watkins, CO, June 20, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1993, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Watkins, CO - Coordinates: 39.749351, -104.600791 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7494&lon=-104.6008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 11090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11090/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA071 ## Probable cause TOTAL LOSS OF POWER RESULTING FROM A BLOCKED CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER. A FACTOR WAS: SOFT TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,filter - blocked(total) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis AFTER BEING AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, ON A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT FOR LANDING AND DURING APPROACH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE FIELD WAS SOFT AND DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION REVEALED DEBRIS IN THE CARBURETOR FILTER. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1993, at 1330 mountain daylight time, a Aeronca 7AC, N2915E, conducted a forced landing in a field approximately one quarter mile north of the east/west runway at Front Range Airport, Watkins, Colorado, following a total loss of power. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured; however, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The occurrence was reported to the Safety Board on July 1, 1993. At the time of the power loss, the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level, over farm fields which were soft as a result of recent rains. Following the accident, the engine was examined by a mechanic. His report is attached and provides information that the carburetor fuel screen was plugged with debris which could have caused fuel starvation. The source of the material in the filter screen is unknown; however, the mechanic said it did not appear to be from the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2915E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2915E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6498 (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: 7AC6498 - Airframe hours: 2851 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Luther E. Pearcy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1992, 51 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 182 total, 31 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19930620025229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930620025229A), Jun 20, 1993: Bbavia 7AC, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power Landing after short flight. Nosed over short of runway. Debris in carburetor. ## Other investigations on N2915E (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 LAX73AL040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73AL040), Feb 25, 1973: Aeronca 7AC (N2915E), Apache Jctn, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.