# NTSB BFO95LA096: Grumman AA-1B, N1424R, Medina, OH, September 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1995, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Medina, OH - Location: 41.1346° N, 81.8695° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Medina, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1346&lon=-81.8695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9083/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA096 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. High vegetation (tall corn) in the emergency landing area was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he diverted from his intended destination because of radio problems. He stated that the airplane was in the airport traffic pattern when there was a loss of engine power. He performed a forced landing in a field of (tall) corn, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot rated passenger reported that when they were '...in the landing pattern the engine sputtered and quit because we ran out of fuel...switched to the second tank...the engine restarted for about 30 seconds...the engine again shut down because the second tank was also out of fuel.' Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. About one to two cups of fuel was drained from the wing fuel tanks, and approximately one ounce of fuel was drained from the carburetor bowl. The fuel tanks were intact, and no evidence of fuel leakage was found at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1995, at 0920 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Grumman AA-1B, N1424R, made a forced landing in a cornfield near Medina, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and the pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Centerburg, Ohio, at 0806 EDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The intended destination was Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) in Cleveland, Ohio. The pilot reported that he was en route to his destination when he contacted the BKL Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) to report his position, and state his intentions to land. He stated that the tower informed him that his radio transmissions were unclear. The pilot stated that he decided to divert, and land at Freedom Field, in Medina, Ohio, (approximately 25 miles south of his destination) to have the radios examined. He stated that when the airplane was in the airport traffic pattern in Medina, there was a loss of engine power. He stated that the engine power increased briefly when he switched fuel tanks, but when the airplane was on short final approach for the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he cleared power lines located on the approach to the runway by flying under the wires. He performed a forced landing in a cornfield, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot rated passenger stated that he accompanied the pilot on the accident flight to assist with the radios. He reported that they "...decided to land at Freedom Field to have the radios checked. In the landing pattern the engine sputtered and quit because we ran out of fuel...switched to the second tank and the engine restarted for about 30 seconds. The engine again shut down because the second tank was also out of fuel." Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that he drained about one ounce of fuel from the carburetor bowl, and approximately one to two cups of fuel from each of the wing fuel tanks. He stated that the fuel tanks were found intact and undamaged, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident. The FAA Inspector also stated that compression was confirmed in all four engine cylinders, and the magnetos appeared capable of normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1424R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1424R-1999-03-22), registration cancelled 1999-03-22, S/N AA1B-0524 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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-0524 - Airframe hours: 3725 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John J Dalton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1995 - Departed: 00I, CENTERBURG, OH - Destination: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 105 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F ## 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 19950919044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950919044709A), Sep 19, 1995: Gulstm AA1B, Medina, OH, Substantial damage. Diverted, lost power in pattern. Nosed over in cornfield. Had ran out of fuel. Plane has short fuel range. (-23) pilot attempted to contact bkl ATCT… 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.