NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

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.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

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.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

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.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

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.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power on approach for landing due to a combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination.