# NTSB CHI07LA170: American AA-1, N5651L, Lansing, IL, June 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2007, 20:20 local (Jun 17, 2007, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Lansing, IL - Coordinates: 41.534999, -87.529441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5350&lon=-87.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - DuPage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA170 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb due to a bent exhaust valve and fouled spark plugs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - bent (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The airplane received substantial damage when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The pilot stated that on the third takeoff, about 900 feet above ground level, the engine rpm started dropping, and the stall warning horn came on. He said he held the throttle full in, but the engine speed decreased to less than 1,000 rpm. The airplane lost altitude, and was just above power lines when the pilot saw a golf course and a road. He stated that the airplane started to buffet and he decided to land on the golf course fairway. He reported that the left wing stalled and the airplane rolled left. He pushed the nose over and recovered just prior to hitting a tree with the right wing. The airplane crashed on the golf course fairway. Postaccident inspection of the engine revealed the #1 and #3 cylinder spark plugs were fouled and the #3 exhaust valve was bent, likely resulting in the loss of engine power. No other anomalies were noted. The engine had 1,749 service hours since new without an overhaul. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2007, at 2020 central daylight time, an American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1, N5651L, was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ), Lansing, Illinois. The pilot received serious injuries. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight was departing IGQ at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. In a conversation with a Federal Aviation Administration investigator, the pilot stated that he was performing touch and go landings on runway 36 (4,002 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) and that on the third takeoff, at approximately 900 feet, the engine RPM started "dropping" and the stall warning horn came on. The pilot "held the throttle full in", but the engine RPM decreased to less than 1,000 RPM. The airplane started to lose altitude and was just above power lines when the pilot saw a golf course and a road. The pilot stated that the airplane "started to buffet" and he decided to land on the golf course fairway. The pilot reported that the "left wing stalled and [the airplane] rolled left". The pilot then "pushed the nose over and rolled right 20-30 feet above the trees". The pilot stated that the airplane righted itself just prior to hitting a tree with the right wing. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain on the golf course fairway. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft - helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings. The pilot stated that he had accumulated approximately 1,000 hours in helicopters. According to the pilot's logbook, the pilot had logged approximately 34 hours in fixed wing airplanes, all in a Cessna 172. The pilot had a solo endorsement dated March 19, 2007, for solo flight in a Cessna 172, and the pilot had logged 4 solo hours in a Cessna 172. There were no records of instruction received or endorsements for solo flight in the accident airplane make and model. According to the carburetor ice probability chart, the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident indicated that a serious risk of carburetor icing at descent power was possible. Weather reported near the time of the accident was: Wind variable at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 12,000 feet; temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 22 degrees C; altimeter setting 29.99 inches of mercury. A post accident inspection of the engine, which had 1,749 hours since new without an overhaul, revealed the following: 1) No visible impact damage to the cylinders and crankcase; 2) "Thumb" compression was established on all cylinders when the engine was rotated by hand; 3) engine drive train continuity was established; 4) the magnetos produced sparks at all leads when rotated by hand; 5) fuel was found in the carburetor; 6) the fuel inlet screen, electric fuel pump screen, oil pressure screen, and suction screen were found clear of debris; 7) the fuel pump produced pressure at the discharge port when operated by hand; 8) no anomalies were noted on the cylinders; 9) all valves except #3 exhaust valve were found free to operate and showed no indication of transfer; 10) the #3 exhaust valve was bent, the valve guide was found oval shaped, and when the valve was rotated it would bind; 11) the #1 and #3 top spark plugs appeared carbon fouled; 12) the #1 bottom plug was lead, carbon, and oil fouled with the electrode bridged; and 13) the #3 bottom plug was carbon fouled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5651L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5651L-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N AA1-0051, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1 - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (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: AA1-0051 - Airframe hours: 1749.37 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007 - Departed: Lansing, IL - Airport: IGQ, Lansing Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: serious; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,030 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KGYY, 7 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 20070616015169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070616015169A), Jun 16, 2007: Amrgen AA1, Chicago, IL, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was performing touch and goes on runway 36 at Lansing airport, IL (igq). Taking off on runway 36 engine stopped running. An off airport landing was… 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.