Aeronca 15AC accident near Anchorage, Alaska, April 24, 2008
On April 24, 2008 at about 5:30 am local time, a Aeronca 15AC, registered N1452H, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Anchorage, Alaska (Merrill Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll. A factor was an excessive taxispeed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2008 · about 5:30 am local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Merrill Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 15AC · all 15ACs on the register
- Registration
- N1452H · registry record · serial 521
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a tundra tire-equipped airplane related that after landing on a dry paved runway, he added engine power to expedite his taxi to the next taxiway intersection. As the airplane approached the intersection, the pilot applied heavy braking action while turning to the left, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported in his written statement to the NTSB that the airplane was equipped with double puck wheel brakes and 29-inch tundra tires, and he noted that excessive use of the brakes would cause the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area condition › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 74 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 46 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,644 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2007; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MRI Anchorage AK at 11:00 pm
- Destination: MRI Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 25, 4,000 ft by 1,000 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC08CA056.