# NTSB NYC82FGT15: Aeronca 11AC, N9451E, Peach Bottom, PA, June 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1982, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Peach Bottom, PA
- Location: 39.7509° N, 76.2258° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Peach Bottom, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7509&lon=-76.2258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious, 4 minor; on the ground: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGT15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGT15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT TOOK OFF WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD AND WITH BOTH DOORS REMOVED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT MAKE A NUMBER OF PASSES NEAR BOATS, UNDER POWER LINES AND NEAR PEOPLE ON THE SURFACE. A NUMBER OF WITNESSES STATED THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING WITH HIS LEGS HANGING OUT THE PASSENGER'S DOORWAY. DURING ONE OF THE PASSES, THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE FRONT END OF A BOAT. THE PASSENGER IN THE AIRCRAFT AND TWO OCCUPANTS ON THE BOAT WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE PILOT AND ONE OCCUPANT ON THE BOAT WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING REGULARLY, HE HAD ABOUT 313 HRS TOTAL FLYING TIME, BUT HAD NO MEDICAL OR PILOT CERTIFICATE. NO AUTHORIZATION HAD BEEN OBTAINED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT DOORS. THE PILOT REPORTED ADDING 12 GAL OF AUTO FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF. THE PLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 3.5 HRS BEFORE CRASHING. DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE AND BEING SUBMERGED IN WATER, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD AT IMPACT WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PILOT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS REPORTED AS .14%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9451E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9451E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1089, 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: 1089
- Airframe hours: 2663
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mary A. Osborne
- Registered owner: Mary A. Osborne
- Departed: CONOWINGO, MD
- Destination: CONOWINGO, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; medical: unknown; flight hours: 313 total, 313 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °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 19820626024819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820626024819A), Jun 26, 1982: Bbavia 11AC, Peach Bottom, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Collided with a boat after possible fuel exhuastion while buzzing the area. Had consumed alcohol. Not certificated.

## Other investigations on N9451E (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 NYC70FHD38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70FHD38), Jun 13, 1970: Aeronca 11AC (N9451E), West Chester, PA, 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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