What happened
On July 27, 2024, at approximately 11:57 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, registration N86270, was involved in an accident near Winchester, California. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
The flight originated from Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM) in San Diego, California, with the intended destination of Hemet Ryan Field (HMT). While flying approximately 6 miles south of Hemet Ryan Field, the pilot observed the engine RPM drop from 2,400 to 2,000 RPM, accompanied by a grinding sound and vibration.
In an attempt to troubleshoot the issue, the pilot applied carburetor heat and cycled the magnetos. During this process, the pilot noted that while oil temperature remained within the normal operating range, the oil pressure was decreasing. The engine then suffered a total loss of power, though the propeller continued to windmill. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot performed a forced landing in an open field. Upon contact with the terrain, the aircraft nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the leftwing lift strut was bent. The aircraft was subsequently recovered to a secure location.