# NTSB CEN14LA221: American AA 1, N481HY, Peyton, CO, April 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2014, 14:22 local (20:22 UTC) - Place: Peyton, CO - Coordinates: 39.029926, -104.479949 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0299&lon=-104.4799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Denver FSDO - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 72-06-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-06-02), [AD 72-07-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-07-10), [AD 75-09-07](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-09-07) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 89128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA221 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of fire damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Record-keeping: aircraft/maintenance logs](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515/cases.md) - [Record-keeping: aircraft/maintenance logs](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [American AA-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the second takeoff on a maintenance test flight following an annual inspection, the airplane accelerated on the main landing gear with the tail wheel off the ground. The airplane then "aggressively veered left," and the pilot applied full right rudder to correct the path. However, the airplane continued to veer left, exited the runway, impacted runway signs and terrain, and a postcrash fire ensued. The fire precluded examination of the airplane systems. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2014, at 1422 mountain daylight time, an American AA-1, N481HY, veered off runway 15 and impacted runway signs and terrain at Meadow Lake Airport (FLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The airline transport pilot was uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a maintenance test flight. The flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at FLY about 1422 and was to remain in the airport traffic pattern for the flight. The pilot, who was also the airplane owner, stated he performed preflight and pre takeoff checks of the airplane prior to a post owner-assisted annual inspection test flight. He departed from runway 15 for the first takeoff and remained in left closed traffic for touch and go landings. He performed the first landing to a full stop to test the airplane brakes and then taxied back to runway 15. He did not notice any anomalies with the airplane and tried to stay off the brakes during the taxi. He rechecked the magnetos and completed takeoff checks prior to a second takeoff on runway 15. During the second takeoff, the airplane accelerated on the main landing gear with the tail wheel off the ground. The airplane "aggressively veered left," and he applied full right rudder. The airplane struck a runway/taxiway sign before he was able to reduce the engine throttle. The airplane bounced and impacted terrain between runway 15 and a parallel taxiway while striking additional airport signs. The airplane came to a stop in a drainage ditch between the runway and taxiway and immediately caught fire. The airplane exploded about one minute after he evacuated the airplane. The pilot said that he did not know what caused the post-accident fire, but that the fuel tanks were ruptured during the collision with the airport signs/terrain. The pilot stated that the brake calipers were not removed during the owner-assisted annual inspection and when asked by the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge what maintenance work was performed, he said that he replaced the landing gear wheel bearings, tire tubes, and tires. He then said that the calipers were removed when asked if the calipers had to be removed to perform the maintenance items related to the wheel bearings, tire tubes, and tires. The brake fluid was last changed when he purchased the airplane about January 2011. He said that the annual inspection was performed in the hangar belonging to the mechanic with inspection authorization that certified the inspection. He said that the mechanic was present while the inspection work was performed. The airplane, serial number 0048, was powered by a Lycoming O-320-A2B, serial number L-49225-27A, engine. The airplane underwent an owner-assisted annual inspection that was performed by the pilot. The airplane logbook entry for the annual inspection was made by anairframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization at American Aviation Inc., Peyton, Colorado, and was dated April 2, 2014. The entry stated: "Aircraft inspected IAW FAR 43 Appendix D. Replaced vacuum regulator filter B3-5-1. Stop drilled 2 small cracks on top canopy. Checked controls for travel and condition. Checked sears, belts and rails. C/W AD 72-06-02 on rudder and elevator control cables by inspection. No broken strands noted. C/W AD 72-07-10 on elevator bungee by inspection. C/W AD 75-09-07 mixture control wire by inspection. Replaced ELT Battery, next change date March 2016. C/W FAR 207D and checked good. See owners entries for cowl, wheels, brakes, tires, etc. Returned to service. Applicable AD's thru 04-02-14." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Denver Flight Standards District Office, the logbook entry for the inspection was not in accordance with regulatory requirements because there were no additional entries relating to "See owners entries for cowl, wheels, brakes, tires, etc." The inspector stated that all maintenance work must be entered and the authorizing mechanic must ensure that such entries are made. Post-accident fire damage of the airplane precluded examination of the brake and landing gear systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N481HY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N481HY-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N AA1-0048, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA 1 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1-0048 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 3735 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2014, 1 hours before - Departed: FLY, Peyton, CO - Destination: FLY, Peyton, CO - Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 15, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,171 total, 137 in this make and model, 4,821 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: FLY ## 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 20140421005649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140421005649A), Apr 21, 2014: American AA-1, Colorado Spring, CO, Destroyed. On April 21, 2014 at 1422 MDT, N481HY, a Grumman American AA-1 airplane impacted the ground of Meadow Lake Airport (fly). There was one person onboard, no… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89128. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot 2 (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%202-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Logbook Entry (item 5, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Logbook%20Entry-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Main Wreackage (item 6, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Main%20Wreackage-Master.PDF 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.