# NTSB CHI08CA076: American AA-1A, N9483L, Grantsburg, WI, February 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2008, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Grantsburg, WI - Coordinates: 45.683887, -92.687225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6839&lon=-92.6872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67681 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67681/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA076 ## Probable cause The seizure of the left brake due to a buildup of ice between the rotor and brake pad. Contributing to the accident was the snow and slush covered runway, and the snowbank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [American AA-1A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings on a turf runway covered with approximately 1-inch of wet snow and slush. The pilot had performed four touch-and-goes without incident. During the fifth landing roll, the pilot initially applied brake pressure to slow the airplane, but then released the brakes to allow the airplane to roll further down the runway. The pilot stated that the left brake seized and the airplane swerved to the left. The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a snowbank and nosed over. A post-accident inspection revealed that the left wheel would not rotate because of ice buildup between the rotor and the brake pad. The airplane was equipped with a castering nose gear and on-ground steering was accomplished solely by differential braking. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings on a turf runway covered with approximately 1-inch of wet snow and slush. The pilot had performed four touch-and-goes without incident. During the fifth landing roll, the pilot initially applied brake pressure to slow the airplane, but then released the brakes to allow the airplane to roll further down the runway. The pilot stated that the left brake seized and the airplane swerved to the left. The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a snowbank and nosed over. A post-accident inspection revealed that the left wheel would not rotate because of ice buildup between the rotor and the brake pad. The airplane was equipped with a castering nose gear and on-ground steering was accomplished solely by differential braking. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9483L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9483L-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N AA1A-0283, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Aviation 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-0283 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008 - Departed: 18Y, Milaca, MN - Destination: WS77, Grantsburg, WI - Airport: WS77, Circle T Airport, runway 27, 2,215 × 96 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 500 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: ROS, 11 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 20080206857799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080206857799A), Feb 6, 2008: Americ AA1A, Grantsburg, WI, Substantial damage. Performed 4 touch and gos on snow covered grass runway. A full stop was planned for the fifth landing. On roll out, pilot released brake pressure and aircraft… ## Other investigations on N9483L (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI08CA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA226), Jul 22, 2008: American AA-1A (N9483L), Grantsburg, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. 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.