On August 22, 1984, an Aeronca 15AC (registration N1067H) was involved in an aviation accident near Murphy Dome, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine quit in straight and level flight, acting like fuel starvation, with no fuel system malfunction found after the accident. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A seaplane experienced engine failure during straight and level flight, attributed to fuel starvation. The pilot executed a forced landing in a wooded area, with the aircraft's floats and wings cushioning the impact.
What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was operating in straight and level flight. During this phase of flight, the engine quit abruptly. The certified flight instructor (CFI) noted that the engine failure behaved like fuel starvation. At the time of the event, the propeller was windmilling.
Attempts to restart the engine were made but were unsuccessful. Consequently, a forced landing was initiated in a wooded area. The landing was cushioned by the aircraft's floats and wings, mitigating the impact forces.
The investigation
Post-acc examination of the fuel system revealed no malfunction. This finding suggests that the failure was not due to a mechanical defect within the fuel delivery system itself.
Probable cause
The engine quit in straight and level flight, acting like fuel starvation, with no fuel system malfunction found after the accident.