# NTSB ATL96LA091: Grumman American AA-1C, N39018, Gulfport, MS, June 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1996, 11:37 local (16:37 UTC) - Place: Gulfport, MS - Coordinates: 30.469942, -89.150108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4699&lon=-89.1501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3732/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA091 ## Probable cause improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that the fuel gauges were inaccurate, registering less fuel than was actually in the fuel tanks. According to his accident report, the pilot took off with five gallons of fuel in the airplane. He flew to a local airport and made a low pass. He then proceeded to another airfield and made a touch-&-go landing. The pilot then contacted approach control at his destination airport for final landing. According to the pilot, the traffic was unusually heavy and the flight was vectored in sequence for landing. On final approach, the pilot advised the controller that the engine had quit, due to lack of fuel. Subsequently, the airplane collided with a power line, then crashed to the ground in a residential area, about one mile north of the airport. During examination of the wreckage, approximately eight ounces of fuel were found in each fuel tank. The fuel caps were in place, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage or seepage from either tank. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1996, about 1137 Central Daylight Time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N39018 collided with the ground during a forced landing at Gulfport, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed. No flight plan was filed. There were no injuries to the pilot and pilot-rated passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, about 1100, with a destination of Gulfport, Mississippi. The pilot stated in his report of the accident, that he knew the fuel quantity indicators had a tendency to indicate lower than actual fuel level He also indicated in his report that the airplane had five gallons of fuel at takeoff. After takeoff, the pilot flew to a local airport where he completed a low pass. He proceeded to a second airport and performed a touch and go landing. He then proceeded toward the destination airport and contacted approach control, which he described as unusually busy.. After contacting approach control, he stated, he received numerous vectors as far out as 16 miles north of the airport, for about 20 minutes. After landing clearance was received, about three miles from the airport, the engine quit. According to the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority report of the accident circumstances, the airport fire department was notified through the crash phone that the airplane had lost engine power, and that the pilot had reported the airplane was out of fuel. The airplane was on final approach when it collided with a power line, then collided with the ground in a residential area, one mile north of the Gulfport Airport. During examination of the wreckage, approximately eight ounces of fuel were found in each fuel tank. The fuel caps were installed, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage or seepage from either tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39018](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39018-1996-12-05), registration cancelled 1996-12-05, S/N AA1C0186 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-1C - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1C-0186 - Airframe hours: 2102 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert S. Cole - Registered owner: Cole Construction Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1996, 12 hours before - Departed: 3R6, BAY ST LOUIS, MS - Destination: GPT, GULFPORT-BILOXI, MS - Airport: GPT, Gulfport-Biloxi Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 391 total, 5 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GPT, 3 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 19960612013439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960612013439A), Jun 12, 1996: Gulstm AA1C, Gulfport, MS, Substantial damage. Engine quit during traffic delays. Fuel tanks were empty. Departed with reported 5 gal of fuel. Struck power line. 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.