ANDOVER, NJ, USA
N84935
AERONCA 7AC
THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS GIVING A TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE CHECKOUT TO A PRIVATE PILOT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 400 FEET. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND HE FORCED LANDED ATOP OF TREES SHORT OF AN OPEN FIELD HE TRIED TO REACH. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AND DRAINED LESS THAN 2 QUARTS OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CFI STATED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED ONE-QUARTER FULL TANK. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL OF THE 8-INCH DEEP FUEL TANK WAS 2 INCHES.
On August 30, 1995, at 0925 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84935, was destroyed during a forced landing in Andover, New Jersey. The commercial pilot/certified flight instructor, and private pilot receiving instruction were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed the Aeroflex-Andover Airport about 1 minute earlier, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The purpose of the flight was to complete a tailwheel checkout for the private pilot. In the NTSB Accident Report, the flight instructor reported: ...[I] observed the fuel gage to read 1/4, approximately 3-4 gallons...I looked in the fuel tank and observed fuel but was unable to accurately determine how much was present so I dipped the tank and read two inches from the eight inch tank. With this, my passenger and I were satisfied that we would proceed to 13N [Trinka] to obtain 80 octane for the rest of the flight.... My student then performed the takeoff and climb out and initiated a left turn to crosswind at approximately 300 feet. He then leveled the wings and climbed another 100ft when the engine sputtered once and then quit without hesitation. I looked back at the runway, decided that it was not an option. I then saw a suitable field to our right, took control of the aircraft and turned slightly to the right. Our airspeed was low, the right wing dipped. Then lowered the nose to regain speed. When it was evident that we would not make the field, I flared in the tops of the trees and held on.... The airplane was examined by FAA inspectors from the Allentown Flight Standards District Office, who reported: ...The fuel tank was intact with no leaks and no smell of fuel...We subsequently drained the tank using a siphon and obtained less than 2 quarts of total fuel quantity onboard. The total fuel system holds 13 gallons and 2 quarts would be insufficient fuel to sustain flight in a climbing attitude....
The flight instructor's inadequate preflight which failed to detect an inadequate fuel supply which subsequently resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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