20010307003199A

(.19)On March 7, 2001, at 1315 cental standard time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N9886U, operated by a private pilot sustained substantial damage when the airplane's engine lost power and the airplane subsequently impacted into a field near Dekalb, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane reported minor injuries. The local flight originated at sugar grove, Illinois, at 1200. The pilot told a federal aviaiton adminstration (FAA)inspector that he was in a cruis flight at approx. 1310 when the airplane's engine started running rough and then quit. The pilot said he immediately looked for a place to land. When asked by the inspector if the pilot tried to switch the airplanes fuel selector to the other fuel tank, the pilot said no. the FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane rested upright in a fallowed field. The airplane wreckage was preceded by skid marks in the ground that ran eastward along a 075-080 degree heading for approx. 120 yards. The airplane's cowling, engine, and engine mounts were broken downward. The nose gear was broken aft. Both propeller blades were bent aft at the hub. The spinner was broken off. Portions of the canopy were broken out. The leading edges of both wings were bent upward and aft and crushed rearward. An examination of the airplane's cockpit showed the fuel selector positioned to the left fuel tank. The airplane's left wing fuel tank was empty. An examination of the right wing fuel tank showed fuel. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The inspector estimated the surface winds at the accident site to be 240 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots. On arrival at the accident site, Dekalb county Illinois sheriff deputies conducted a field bloodalcohol test on the pilot. The results of the test showed the pilot having a blood alcohol level of 0.077. Later that afternoon, a second blood alcohol test was conducted on the pilot at the Dekalb county sheriff department, sycamore, Illinois. The results of that test showed the pilot having a blood alcohol level of 0.08. Federal aviation regulation 14 CFR part 91, paragraph 91.17(1), states that no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft: (1)within 8 hours after consumption of any alcoholic beverage; (2) while under the influence of alcohol; (4) while having 0.04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood. (-23) pilot departed aurora airport, Illinois (arr) at approx. 1200 local for a pleasure flight with one passenger. Pilot stated he refueled the airplane about one month earlier but it indicated 1/2 fuel in each wing during preflight inspection. While in cruise flight at approx. 1310 hour local, pilot stated the engine started running rough and then quit. Pilot stated that he immediately looked for a landing area into the wind and attempted to land. The pilot actually landed downwind with a left quartering tailwind of approx. 20 mph. When asked if the pilot tried to switch tanks or trouble shoot, he stated no. the pilot was arrested by the sycamore sheriff department for having a blood alcohol content level of .08 percent.