# NTSB CHI80FA051: Grum Amer AA-1A, N7278L, Troy, MI, July 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 8, 1980
- Place: Troy, MI · TROY, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FA051
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FA051

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0536   80/7/8    TROY,MI             GRUM AMER AA-1A     CR-  1  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 16, 30 TOTAL
        TIME - 1723                    N7278L              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BIG BEAVER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TROY,MI                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CARBON DEPOSITS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- L FUEL TANK DRAIN PLUGGED,NO CORR MAINT.TWO PLUGS SHORTED.HIT PWR LINES,TREE.GARAGE DMGD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7278L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7278L-1981-10-14), registration cancelled 1981-10-14, S/N AA1A-0470 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUM AMER AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Big Beaver

## 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 19800708027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800708027629A), Jul 8, 1980: Gulstm AA1A, Troy, MI, Destroyed. Student pilot on second solo crashed in pattern. Witnesses stated engine running rough.

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.

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