# NTSB WPR12LA367: Aeronca 11AC, N9409E, Pacoima, CA, August 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2012, 11:52 local (18:52 UTC) - Place: Pacoima, CA - Coordinates: 35.26472, -118.421112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2647&lon=-118.4211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84788/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84788 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA367 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power on approach for landing due to a combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported that, while the airplane was on approach for landing, the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a power pole, and the airplane spun right and subsequently came to rest on top of a cinderblock wall. During on-site wreckage examination, a small amount of fuel was found in the fuel tanks and on the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. During postaccident examination of the fuel system, the main fuel tank was found void of fuel. The fuel sump was drained, and the recovered liquid appeared to be a mixture of aviation fuel and some type of solvent. No other usable amounts of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. It is likely that the combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination led to the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The Aeronca AC11, N9409E did not have a transponder installed in the aircraft.Whiteman Airport tower personnel reported that there was no coordination prior to flight with the pilot of N9409E to conduct flight operations to the airport without a transponder. The airplane was an Aeronca 11AC, serial number 11AC-1046. A review of the airplane's logbooks indicated that the airplane had a total airframe time of 1,997.8 hours at the last annual inspection dated January 5, 2012. The tachometer read 1,997.8 hours at the last inspection. At the accident scene the tachometer read 00001.8 hours. A new tachometer was purchased on June 18, 2012; there was not a corresponding logbook entry indicating the removal and installation of the tachometer. The logbook entry for the annual inspection noted that the ELT had been inspected. The engine was a Continental Motors Inc., A-65-A, serial number 1474328. According to the engine logbook, the engine total time since major overhaul, at the last annual inspection, was 446.0 hours. No fueling records were located for the accident airplane. On August 25, 2012, at 1152 Pacific daylight time (PDT), an Aeronca 11AC, N9409E, crashed into a parking lot following a loss of engine power near Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The local personal flight departed WHP about 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane pilot had been cleared to land at WHP using runway 12. The airport tower controllers did not receive any distress communication from the airplane pilot. The accident site was located in a parking lot, about 1,000 feet northwest of the approach end of runway 12. The parking lot was on the west side of San Fernando Road in the city of Pacoima. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane approaching the airport, and noticed that the propeller was not rotating and did not hear any engine noise. The airplane hit a power pole with the right wing and spun to the right. The airplane came to rest on top of the cinderblock wall between two businesses. First responders and recovery personnel found limited amounts of fuel on the ground and in the airplane fuel tank. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 84-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. A review of the pilot's airman medical records on file at the Airman and Medical Records Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed that the pilot's last medical application was dated September 11, 2001. At that time the pilot reported a total time of 4,600 hours; his medical certificate was not valid at the time of the accident. On September 31,2012, the co-owner of the airplane submitted a partially filled out Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). Neither the pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger provided a statement as to the circumstances leading up to the accident. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine was conducted on August 28, 2012, at the facilities of Aircraftsman, Chino, California. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction was noted during the examination of the recovered airframe and engine. The fuel system was inspected and found to contain a minor amount of fuel in the header tank, and the fuel valve was found in the open position. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position. It was determined that the fire department had selected the fuel selector to the OFF position after the accident. The sump drain was drained and found to contain a yellowish green fluid that appeared to be a mixture of aviation fuel and some type of solvent possibly Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK). The ELT was removed from the airplane mounting bracket for examination. The ELT was a Dorne & Margolin Model DM ELT5-2, SN 1808. The ELT was placarded that it was last inspected on November 12, 1996, and to replace the batteries "NOV 1998" the ELT was opened and contained 6 "D" cell batteries, 3 of which were corroded. Examination of the engine revealed no catastrophic failures noted to the exterior of the engine. The carburetor assembly was still attached to the engine assembly by the throttle cable, but had been broken off the intake manifold during the impact sequence. Examination of the carburetor revealed no abnormalities to the floats or accelerator pump. The filters were all clear. The fuel bowl was void of any fuel and was otherwise unremarkable. A Brackett Aero Filter kit was also installed on April 13, 2011, per the engine logbook entry. No record of any 337 forms were filed with the FAA, which is required. The spark plugs were removed and examined. The general conditions of the spark plugs were worn and indicated a rich fuel mixture condition. A compression check was performed on all 4 cylinders and found to be in the acceptable pressure range. The compression check was conducted with a cold engine. The airplane sustained damage to the right wing and to the engine structure during the impact sequence. The airplane came to rest on top of a cinderblock wall between two businesses. Both of the pilot yokes were bent toward the left side of the cockpit. The fuselage sustained damage to the left side behind the pilot door. No damage to the tail section was noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9409E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9409E-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 11AC-1046, 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-1046 - Airframe hours: 1998 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2012 - Departed: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Destination: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Airport: WHP, Whiteman Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,600 total - Flight instructor; age 84; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,990 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KWHP, 1 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 20120825018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120825018929A), Aug 25, 2012: Aeronca 11AC, Pacoima, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft on approach to kwhp, 1600 ft altitude at 1 mile from runway. One half mile from runway, at 200 ft, witnesses state aircraft banks right, loses… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84788. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - ATC Statement re Radio Communications (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%20Statement%20re%20Radio%20Communications-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination Report (item 4, .PDF, 17 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Tachometer Receipt (item 5, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tachometer%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aerial View (item 7, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aerial%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Accident Site (item 8, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF 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.