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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

March 16, 1989 · Aeronca 15AC · N4433N

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Aeronca 15AC
Tail Number
N4433N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA053

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT. EMERG PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED AND THE ENG REGAINED POWER. THE THROTTLE WAS REDUCED TO 2000 RPM IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR EXTRA TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT FAILED. WITH THE THROTTLE REDUCED, THE ENGINE QUITE ONCE AGAIN. THE CFI APPLIED CARB HEAT AND THE STUDENT SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVED CARB HEAT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSSES AND GAINS IN POWER. THE POWER EVENTUALLY COULD NOT BE REGAINED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A FROZEN SWAMP AREA WHICH WAS COVERED BY 2 1/2 FEET OF SNOW. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE INSTRUCTORS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT ACTIONS WITHIN THE AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT. EMERG PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED AND THE ENG REGAINED POWER. THE THROTTLE WAS REDUCED TO 2000 RPM IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR EXTRA TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT FAILED. WITH THE THROTTLE REDUCED, THE ENGINE QUITE ONCE AGAIN. THE CFI APPLIED CARB HEAT AND THE STUDENT SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVED CARB HEAT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSSES AND GAINS IN POWER. THE POWER EVENTUALLY COULD NOT BE REGAINED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A FROZEN SWAMP AREA WHICH WAS COVERED BY 2 1/2 FEET OF SNOW. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 15AC
Tail NumberN4433N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 3 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data