# NTSB CHI89DEX03: Grumman American AA-1C, N39000, Richmond, IN, January 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, IN
- Coordinates: 39.819133, -84.880661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8191&lon=-84.8807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF WITH A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED AT ABOUT LIFT-OFF. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH WORSENED THE POWER LOSS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, NOR CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 42 DEGREES F, AND THE DEW POINT WAS 27 DEGREES F. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39000](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39000-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N AA1C0175, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (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: AA1C0175
- Airframe hours: 1942
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Wardwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: RID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 143 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 30 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 19890105000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890105000409A), Jan 5, 1989: Gulstm AA1C, Richmond, IN, Substantial damage. Engine roughened and slowly lost power on takeoff. Crash landed in plowed field. Conditions good for carb icing.

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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