# NTSB CHI91LA242: American AA1, N6108L, Spearville, KS, August 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1991, 21:15 local (Aug 2, 1991, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Spearville, KS
- Coordinates: 37.839168, -99.749931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8392&lon=-99.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA242

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR IN FLIGHT/PLANNING DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - compensation for wind conditions - not identified, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER ENCOUNTERING INCREASING HEADWINDS AND BEING UNSURE OF HIS EXACT LOCATION, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BEFORE HE EXHAUSTED HIS FUEL SUPPLY.  DURING THE GROUND ROLL, ON THE SOFT FARM FIELD, THE NOSE WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6108L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6108L-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N AA10308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0308
- Airframe hours: 1005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elbert H. Mason
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 1991, 70 hours before
- Departed: TRX, TRENTON, MO
- Destination: DDC, DODGE CITY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,826 total, 2,047 in this make and model, 5,013 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: DDC, 10 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 19910801031169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910801031169A), Aug 1, 1991: Gulstm AA1, Spearville, KS, Substantial damage. Low on fuel at dusk. Elected to land in fallow field. Nose wheel dug in broke off. Nosed over.

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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