# NTSB CHI89FA027: Gulfstream AA1A, N9396L, North Vernon, IN, November 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1988, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: North Vernon, IN
- Coordinates: 38.999717, -85.630744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9997&lon=-85.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A HIGH SPEED LOW LEVEL PASS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY AND A CLIMBING LEFT TURN AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT, HEADING NORTH. A WITNESS IN A FIELD NORTH OF THE AIRPORT REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING FROM A LOW ALTITUDE, LEVEL OUT MOMENTARILY AND THEN RESUME A RAPID NOSE DOWN DESCENT UNTIL IT IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRIAN. EXAMINATION REVEALED CONTROL AND ENG INTERNAL CONTINUITY. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WHICH WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE FOUND. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR, FUEL LINES AND FUEL PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9396L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9396L-1989-02-02), registration cancelled 1989-02-02, S/N AA1A0096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AA1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A-0096
- Airframe hours: 1865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Green, Gilbert R.
- Registered owner: Green, Gilbert R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: OVO, NORTH VERNON, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,680 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMG, 48 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 19881124051809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881124051809A), Nov 24, 1988: Gulstm AA1A, North Vernon, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was observed buzzing and performing steep pull ups. Lost control and descended vertically into trees.

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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