# NTSB ANC88LA091: Grumman AA-1B, N9895L, Nikolai Creek, AK, June 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1988, 21:30 local (Jun 2, 1988, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Nikolai Creek, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA091

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

A PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAXI OFF THE DIRT ROAD THAT HE HAD JUST USED AS A LANDING SITE IN A RURAL AREA OF ALASKA, WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL BECAME MIRED IN A SOFT SPOT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9895L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9895L-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N AA1B-0495, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B0495
- Airframe hours: 1221
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary R. Kuhn
- Registered owner: Tatham, Clifford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Dirt Road

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 95 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880601026569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880601026569A), Jun 1, 1988: Gulstm AA1B, Nikolai Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on a dirt road. Began taxiing off dirt road hit a ditch and nosed over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.