Aeronca 15AC accident near Hastings, Michigan, June 30, 2021
On June 30, 2021 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1948 Aeronca 15AC, registered N1175H, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Hastings, Michigan (Hastings airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2021 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hastings, Michigan · Hastings · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 15AC, built 1948 · all 15ACs on the register
- Registration
- N1175H · registry record · serial 15AC-188
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor were conducting a flight review. About 45 minutes into the flight, the engine “sputtered” and lost power following a practice go-around. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that they departed on the flight with 8 gallons of fuel in the left-wing tank and 7 gallons of fuel in the right-wing tank. The flight instructor recalled that, shortly before the loss of engine power, the left and right tanks contained about 8 gallons and 2 gallons, respectively. The mechanic who recovered the airplane reported that about 6 gallons remained in the left fuel tank and 2 gallons in the right fuel tank. The fuel caps were secure, and the accident site did not exhibit any evidence of a fuel spill. A postaccident examination and engine test run did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Continuity of the airframe fuel system was confirmed. The reason that fuel was being drawn predominantly from the right fuel tank could not be determined. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 approach (VFR go-around)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 525 hours in all; 241 in this make and model; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 15, 2018
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,454 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,363 as pilot in command; 526 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 7, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,875 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9D9 Hastings MI at 9:16 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from GRR, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
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 CEN21LA303.