# NTSB CHI83FAMS1: Grumman AA-1, N6214L, Manitowoc, WI, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1983, 21:45 local (Jul 9, 1983, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Manitowoc, WI
- Location: 44.0980° N, 87.6789° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manitowoc, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0980&lon=-87.6789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12031/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FAMS1

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Missing aircraft, unknown

## Analysis

THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR CONTACT WHILE OVER LAKE MICHIGAN. THIS ACFT HAD DEPARTED BALTIMORE MD AT 1142 CDT TO FLYTO MANITOWOC, WI. THE LAST ENROUTE STOP FOR FUEL WAS AT MUSKEGON MI AT 2040 CDT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC BUT THE NIGHT WAS DARK. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE ACFT IS ASSUMED DESTROYED BECAUSE A PART OF THE ACFT WITH THE DATA PLATE AND SERIAL # AA1-0414 ON IT WAS FOUND ON A REMOTE BEACH OF LAKE MICHIGAN SOUTH OF ARCADIA ON 7/19/83. THE ACFT DEPARTED MUSKEGON AT ABOUT 2110 CDT WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL. AT ABOUT 2145 CDT THE PILOT REPORTED BY RADIO THAT HE HAD LOST AN ENGINE CYLINDER AND WAS GOING DOWN. THE EMERGENCY BEACON CODE WAS PICKED UP BY MUSKEGON APPROACH CONTROL AT A POINT ABOUT 55 MILES NORTHWEST OF MUSKEGON. NO ELT SIGNAL WAS HEARD. THE PILOT IS MISSING AND PRESUMED TO BE FATALLY INJURED. THE COASTGUARD SUSPENDED SEARCH AT 1600 CDT ON JULY 10, 1983 PENDING FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6214L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6214L-1984-07-12), registration cancelled 1984-07-12, S/N AA1-0414 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1-0414
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lauren B. Larsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI
- Destination: MTW, MANITOWOC, WI
- Airport: MTW, Manitowoc

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,025 total, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTW

## 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 19830709033389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709033389A), Jul 9, 1983: Gulstm AA1, Manitowoc, WI, Destroyed. During crossing lake Michigan at night pilot experienced engine failure. Aircraft was not found.

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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