# NTSB ATL88LA153: Grumman American AA-1B, N9603L, Memphis, TN, April 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1988, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Location: 35.1495° N, 90.0490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Memphis, TN, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1495&lon=-90.0490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST PWR IN-FLT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LDG. THE PLT NOTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TOPPED OFF THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE ESTIMATED FUEL-ON-BOARD AT TAKEOFF WAS 3.5 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9603L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9603L-1991-03-12), registration cancelled 1991-03-12, S/N AA1B0103 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0103
- Airframe hours: 1895
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ed Meier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 29, 1988
- Departed: 4M9, CORNING, AR
- Destination: 2M8, MEMPHIS, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 638 total, 32 in this make and model, 563 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880422010209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880422010209A), Apr 22, 1988: Gulstm AA1B, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed in a plowed field 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.

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