# NTSB ATL84LA177: Grumman American AA-1B, N9907L, Tallassee, AL, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1984, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Tallassee, AL
- Coordinates: 32.530883, -85.889991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5309&lon=-85.8900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE DEPARTED FULTON COUNTY ARPT WITH APRX 12 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD. ABOUT 20 MINS LATER, THE LEFT FUEL TANK RAN DRY & THE PLT SELECTED THE RIGHT TANK & CONTINUED THE FLT WITH THE INTENTION OF REFUELING AT EITHER TUSKEGEE ORTALLASSEE. UPON ARRIVAL AT TUSKEGEE, THE PLT FOUND THE ARPT UNATTENDED & NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE. THE SAME OCCURRED UPON REACHING TALLASSEE. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED EN ROUTE TO MONTGOMERY & A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON THE MEDIAN OF I-85 WHERE THE PLT DRAGGED A WING TIP WHILE AVOIDING TRAFFIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9907L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9907L-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N AA1B-0207, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1B (AMERICAN A)
- 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: AA1B-0207
- Airframe hours: 1757
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Planes Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 26, 1984
- Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 6 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 30 nm away

## 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 19840520017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840520017829A), May 20, 1984: Gulstm AA1B, Tallassee, AL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing on highway median after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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.

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