Summary
On August 17, 2007, a Aeronca AR-15 (N1407H) was involved in an incident near Clear, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason.
On August 17, 2007, about 0915 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Aeronca AR-15 airplane, N1407H, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and forced landing in swampy terrain, about 2 miles east of Clear, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight departed the Chena Marina airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 0650, and was en route to Healy, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the cross country, Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 18, the pilot related that he was cruising at 4,300 feet msl, when the engine power decreased, and he was unable to maintain altitude.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC07LA086. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1407H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 17, 2007, about 0915 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Aeronca AR-15 airplane, N1407H, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and forced landing in swampy terrain, about 2 miles east of Clear, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight departed the Chena Marina airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 0650, and was en route to Healy, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the cross country, Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 18, the pilot related that he was cruising at 4,300 feet msl, when the engine power decreased, and he was unable to maintain altitude. He said he was unable to restore engine power, and landed in a swampy area. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and tail section. The pilot stated that he did not know why the engine lost power, that he had ample fuel, and that he had checked the fuel tanks for contamination prior to leaving Fairbanks.
A partial examination of the engine several weeks after the accident by an FAA inspector disclosed that there was rust and particulate matter in the gascolator, but no obvious signs of a catastrophic failure of the engine or its accessories.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC07LA086