# NTSB ATL85LA200: American AA-1A, N6393L, Hatteras, NC, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 10:03 local (14:03 UTC)
- Place: Hatteras, NC
- Coordinates: 35.220832, -75.680038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2208&lon=-75.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - low compression (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - leaded (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained

## Analysis

WHILE ON A FLT TO HATTERAS, NC, THE ENG RAN ROUGH, SO AFTER LANDING, THE PLT GOT AN AUTO MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS. THE LOWER PLUGS ON THE LEFT SIDE WERE LEAD FOWLED & WERE CLEANED WITH A WIRE BRUSH. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE NEXT FLT, THE ENG LOST PARTIAL POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. THE PLT WANTED TO LAND ON A BEACH STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT THERE WAS A RAIN SHOWER & REDUCED VISIBILILITY IN THAT DIRECTION. THEREFORE, HE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 200 FT. WHILE MANEUVERING FOR ALIGNMENT WITH THE RWY, HE MADE A STEEP TURN & LOST ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASH LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED LEAD BUILD-UPS ON THE SPARK PLUGS & LOW COMPRESSION IN THE #1 & #4 CYLINDERS. WHILE AT HATTERAS, THE ACFT HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT IT DID NOT HAVE AN STC FOR AUTO GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6393L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6393L-2000-06-20), registration cancelled 2000-06-20, S/N AA1A-0393 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A-0393
- Airframe hours: 1427
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis J. Diantonio
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Destination: W22, WOODBRIDGE, VA
- Airport: 8W5, Billy Mitchell, runway 6, 3,000 × 76 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,378 total, 358 in this make and model, 2,178 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAT, 1 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 19850630028659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630028659A), Jun 30, 1985: Gulstm AA1A, Hatteras, NC, Substantial damage. Loss of power on takeoff. Landed short of runway. Spark plugs lead fouled, 2 cylinders low. No STC for auto fuel.

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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