Aeronca L16A accident near Zelienople, Pennsylvania, June 29, 2019
On June 29, 2019 at about 6:18 pm local time, a Aeronca L16A, registered N9325H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Zelienople, Pennsylvania (Zelienople Municipal airport). 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to obstruction of the carburetor air intake by a piece of the air filter gasket that had become detached.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2019 · about 6:18 pm local time
- Place
- Zelienople, Pennsylvania · Zelienople Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca L16A 7BCM · all L16As on the register
- Registration
- N9325H · registry record · serial 47-807
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was returning to the airport to practice takeoffs and landings. About 15 minutes into the flight, while flying level at 1,900 ft mean sea level, the engine "abruptly" stopped. The pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby muddy hay field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear buckled, collapsing the gear rearward and resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Engine control continuity was confirmed, and spark from both magnetos and all spark plugs were noted. A mechanic working on the airplane following the accident reported that a piece of the air filter gasket was lodged in the carburetor intake. It is likely that the obstruction of airflow caused by the gasket resulted in the loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Inoperative
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 9, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,131 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 31, 2018; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PJC Zelienople PA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: PJC Zelienople PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 6:18 pm from BTP, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 20, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-operator Aircraft Accident Report | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | E-mail from Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Carburetor Examination | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Accident Report Photographs | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N9325H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.