# NTSB CHI82DA242: Grumman American AA-1B, N32NA, Near Zanesville, OH, July 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1982, 19:38 local (23:38 UTC)
- Place: Near Zanesville, OH
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA242

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT IN HIS NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT LET HIS RIGHT TANK RUN DRY. HE THEN SWITCHED TO HIS LEFT TANK WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS MORE THAN 1/2 FULL. AFTER FLYING ABOUT 15 MILES FURTHER, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN QUIT. WHILE LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE PILOT SWERVED TO AVOID CATTLE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER THE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32NA-2011-03-21), registration cancelled 2011-03-21, S/N AA1B-0526, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (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: AA1B-0526
- Airframe hours: 1485
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Bialek
- Registered owner: Joseph Bialek
- Departed: ANNAPOLIS, MD
- Destination: ZANESVILLE, OH
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ZZV, Zanesville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 434 total, 160 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ZZV, 5 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 19820709061629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820709061629A), Jul 9, 1982: Gulstm AA1B, Zanesville, OH, Substantial damage. Rough engine en route then fuel exhaustion. Swerved into a ditch to avoid a cow while landing in a pasture.

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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