# NTSB CHI04LA238: American AA-1A, N9442L, Eudora, KS, August 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2004, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Eudora, KS - Coordinates: 38.938056, -95.099166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9381&lon=-95.0992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA238 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's selection of a fuel tank with an insufficient quantity remaining. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that they were returning after an approximately 30 minute local flight when the engine began to run rough. The airplane was established in a descent and the pilot leveled off at 1,200 feet above ground level. He stated that he moved the mixture control to full rich, however, the engine quit completely. The pilot stated he saw an open field to his right and set-up for a forced landing. He reported that due to the low altitude, he did not switch fuel tanks or attempt to determine the cause of the loss of engine power. The pilot stated the airplane touched down in the field on the main landing gear. He attempted to hold the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible, however, when it dropped the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted. A post-accident examination was conducted. Fuel was leaking out of the left tank cap and when the cap was loosened fuel began pouring out of the tank. The right fuel tank cap was secure and when removed, the tank appeared to be empty. No evidence of fuel on the ground was observed at the accident site. The cockpit fuel selector was set to the right tank. Inspection of the fuel system did not reveal any anomalies. No debris was observed in samples taken from the system. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2004, approximately 0930 central daylight time, an American Aviation AA-1A, N9442L, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Eudora, Kansas. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The local flight departed the New Century AirCenter Airport (IXD), Olathe, Kansas, about 0900. The pilot reported that they were returning to IXD after the local flight when the engine began to run rough. The airplane was established in a descent, passing through about 2,500 feet mean sea level at the time. He stated that he leveled at 1,200 feet above ground level and flew along a river for a short time. He stated that he moved the mixture control to full rich, however, the engine quit completely. The pilot stated he saw an open field to his right and set-up for a forced landing. He noted that the airplane "wanted to fall out of the sky." He reported that due to the low altitude, he did not switch fuel tanks or attempt to determine the cause of the loss of engine power. The pilot commented that he had switched to the right fuel tank on return to IXD. The pilot stated the airplane touched down in the field on the main landing gear. He attempted to hold the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible, however, when it dropped the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted. A post-accident examination was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. He observed fuel leaking out of the left tank cap and when he loosened the cap fuel began pouring out of the tank. He reported the right fuel tank cap was secure and when he removed it, the tank appeared to be empty. The inspector did not observe any evidence of fuel on the ground at the accident site. He noted that the cockpit fuel selector was set to the right tank at the time of his examination. Inspection of the fuel system did not reveal any anomalies. No debris was observed in samples taken from the system. The FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet for the airplane stated that total fuel capacity was 24 gallons in 2 wing tanks. Unusable fuel was listed as 2 gallons total. FAA records indicate the original Lycoming O-235-C1C (108 horsepower) engine had been replaced by an O-320-E2D (150 horsepower) engine under Supplemental Type Certificate SA24775SW. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9442L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9442L-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N AA1A-0242, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1A - Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1A-0242 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: IXD, Olathe, KS - Destination: IXD - Airport: IXD, New Century Aircenter ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 1, 2004; flight hours: 500 total, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: IXD, 12 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 20040806018839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040806018839A), Aug 6, 2004: Amrgen AA1A, Eudora, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was enroute from lawrence, KS (lwc) to olathe, KS (ixd) at an altitude of 2,500 feet, when the engine began running rough. The PIC stated that… 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.