# NTSB FTW99LA267: Aeronca 11AC, N9044E, Van Horn, TX, September 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1999, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Van Horn, TX - Coordinates: 31.040508, -104.830909 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0405&lon=-104.8309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47441/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA267 ## Probable cause A restriction within the auxiliary fuel supply system and the rough terrain during the subsequent precautionary landing resulting on main gear collapse. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - fuel system,line - restricted (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis According to the pilot, who was the new owner of the airplane, the previous owner stated that the auxiliary fuel tank had not been used since he owned the airplane. The pilot filled the auxiliary fuel tank prior to the cross-country flight, sumped the tank twice for sediment and/or water, and found none. During the first two legs of the flight the auxiliary fuel tank appeared to be draining into the main fuel tank; however, during the third leg of the flight, the main fuel tank quantity went down to 1-2 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary fuel tank remained full. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in an open area. During the landing roll, the main landing gear impacted a rut and collapsed. A mechanic, who helped recover the airplane, stated that the auxiliary fuel tank had drained into the main fuel tank by the time they recovered the airplane a few days after the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1999, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC tail-wheel equipped airplane, N9044E, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing near Van Horn, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The airplane initially departed from Brenham, Texas, and was being ferried to Tulare, California. The last re-fueling stop was at Fort Stockton, Texas, approximately 2 hours prior to the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in charge, the 17,000-hour pilot, who was the new owner of the airplane, reported that the previous owner stated that the 8-gallon auxiliary fuel tank had not been used during the time he owned the airplane. The pilot filled the auxiliary fuel tank prior to his departure and sumped the fuel tank to check for sediment and/or water and found none after the second sump. During the first leg of the flight, the pilot transferred approximately one gallon of fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the 15-gallon main fuel tank. During the second leg of the flight, the pilot transferred approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel tank. On the third leg of the flight, the pilot had to deviate from his planned course to avoid thunderstorms in the area. The pilot stated that he noticed that the main fuel tank quantity decreased to approximately a quarter of its capacity and appeared to stay at that level. The pilot added that he kept monitoring the fuel quantity of the auxiliary fuel tank; however, it did not appear to be decreasing. The pilot estimated that he had 1-2 gallons of fuel remaining in the main fuel tank and approximately 8 gallons of fuel remaining in the auxiliary fuel tank, when he elected to make a precautionary landing in an open area. According to the pilot, during the landing roll, at about 15 miles per hour, the main landing gear impacted a rut made by 4-wheel drive vehicles. The left main landing gear folded aft and the right main landing gear collapsed, damaging the landing gear-to-fuselage attaching points on the right side of the airplane. The left aft wing strut was dented, the left wing tip was dented, and one of the propeller blades separated. According to a mechanic, who helped recover the airplane, the fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank had drained into the main fuel tank by the time they recovered the airplane, which was a few days after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9044E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9044E-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 11AC-675, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11AC-675 - Engines: Continental A-75-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald W. Lawrence - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FST, FORT STOCKTON, TX - Destination: VHN, VAN HORN, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 76 in this make and model, 16,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FST, 30 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 19990909029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990909029039A), Sep 9, 1999: Bbavia 11AC, Vanhorn, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 9, 1999, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC tail-wheel equipped airplane, N9044E, was substantially damaged during… 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.