# NTSB ATL95LA112: Grumman AA1C, N9980U, Mocksville, NC, June 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1995, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Mocksville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.89083, -80.55072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8908&lon=-80.5507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA112

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper short field takeoff procedure which resulted in the inadvertent stall/mush during the takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - short field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART RUNWAY 09. THE RUNWAY IS 2943 FEET IN LENGTH, AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS 2450 FEET. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 65 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR THE TALL TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT HE ENTERED THE TREES IN A NOSE HIGH, STALLED ATTITUDE. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1995, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Grumman AA1C, N9980U was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during take off at Mocksville, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was destined for Lincolnton, North Carolina.

The pilot stated that he was departing runway 09. He said the aircraft accelerated to about 65 knots, but would not climb sufficiently to clear the tall trees at the departure end of the runway. He stated that he entered the trees in a nose high, stalled attitude. He reported that the engine seemed to be operating normally.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9980U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9980U-1997-03-21), registration cancelled 1997-03-21, S/N AA1C0174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0174
- Airframe hours: 1695
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edwin L. Proctor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1994, 34 hours before
- Departed: 8A7
- Destination: 5N4, LINCOLNTON, NC
- Airport: 8A7, Twin Lakes, runway 9, 2,943 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,922 total, 388 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 50 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 19950617017419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950617017419A), Jun 17, 1995: Gulstm AA1C, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on climbout. Stalled nose high into same. Type somewhat under powered. Warm day. (.19) on June 17, 1995, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a…

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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