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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 28, 1994 · Aeronca 11AC · N5512N

Wickenburg, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 28, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wickenburg, AZ
Aircraft
Aeronca 11AC
Tail Number
N5512N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA267

A WITNESS HEARD THE AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE CUTTING IN AND OUT (THREE OR FOUR TIMES) BEFORE QUITTING COMPLETELY. THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT, BUT FOUND IT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, NOSE DOWN ON THE GROUND, OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE PILOT'S WIDOW SAID THAT HE HAD BY-PASS SURGERY IN 1989 AND SUFFERED A STROKE IN 1993; HOWEVER, A PATHOLOGICAL EXAM INDICATED NO EVIDENCE THAT A RELATED EVENT HAD OCCURRED. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 6500 FEET.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

On June 28, 1994, about 0810 hours mountain standard time, an Aeronca 11AC, N5512N, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain near Wickenburg, Arizona. The pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot was reportedly planning on doing some touch-and-go landings on runway 13 at Moreton, a private dirt airstrip. The Moreton airstrip is listed as 4,700 feet long at an elevation of 2,455 feet msl. The temperature was reported as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The density altitude was calculated to be about 6,500 feet. A witness reported that he observed the airplane taxi to the end of the runway, turn around, and take off. He stated that the airplane became airborne soon after the takeoff roll. Then while airborne, the engine cut in and out three times before quitting completely. The witness lost sight of the airplane and realized that the pilot was about out of runway. He drove out towards the runway and observed the aircraft nose down in the ground off the end of the runway. According to the widow, the pilot had by-pass surgery in 1989 after experiencing a heart attack and, in 1993, suffered a stroke. Also, she indicated that the engine quit twice in the last month. She did not give any details. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that they found the throttle control handle at flight idle and the fuel mixture control in the full rich position. The fuel primer was in and locked and the magneto was on the both position. They reported no mechanical problems with the engine. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office in Prescott, Arizona, performed the autopsy and listed the cause of death as trauma with no evidence of an acute cardiac event. The toxicological report was negative for drugs or alcohol.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 MST
Nearest AirportMORETON (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length4700 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 11AC
Tail NumberN5512N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8F · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 81 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data