# NTSB CHI86FA183: American AA-1, N6135L, Plainfield, IL, July 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1986, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.610622, -88.200981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6106&lon=-88.2010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES WHO SPOKE WITH PLT OF N6135L PRIOR TO ACCIDENT STATED THAT HE WAS ACTING OUT OF CHARACTER. HE HAD A LOSS OF APPETITE AND HIS COMPLEXION WAS ASHEN GREY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL WELL BEFORE THE FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT TAKEOFF, CLIMB SLIGHTLY, THEN BANK STEEPLY TO THE RIGHT AND CRASH. POST MORTEM EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE OF 90% OCCLUSION OF LEFT CORONARY ARTERY WHICH RESULTED IN AN ARRYTHMIA OR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. THE CARDIAC DISFUNCTION RENDERED THE PLT PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6135L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6135L-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N AA1-0335, built 1970 (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: 0335
- Airframe hours: 3054
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph Gehrig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1985, 112 hours before
- Departed: IC5
- Destination: 3HW, BLUE ISLAND, IL
- Airport: 1C5, Clow Int'L, runway 36, 3,370 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,688 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 93 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 15 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 19860728036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860728036439A), Jul 28, 1986: Gulstm AA1, Plainfield, IL, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground shortly after takeoff. The pilot suffered a heart attack.

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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