Aeronca 11AC accident near Pacoima, California, August 25, 2012
On August 25, 2012 at about 6:52 pm local time, a Aeronca 11AC, registered N9409E, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Pacoima, California (Whiteman Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power on approach for landing due to a combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 2012 · about 6:52 pm local time
- Place
- Pacoima, California · Whiteman Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 11AC · all 11ACs on the register
- Registration
- N9409E · no longer on the register · serial 11AC-1046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported that, while the airplane was on approach for landing, the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a power pole, and the airplane spun right and subsequently came to rest on top of a cinderblock wall. During on-site wreckage examination, a small amount of fuel was found in the fuel tanks and on the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. During postaccident examination of the fuel system, the main fuel tank was found void of fuel. The fuel sump was drained, and the recovered liquid appeared to be a mixture of aviation fuel and some type of solvent. No other usable amounts of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. It is likely that the combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination led to 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
- Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,990 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,998 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor A&C65 SERIES (piston); 446 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WHP Pacoima CA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: WHP Pacoima CA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 5:47 pm from KWHP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.