# NTSB DEN81FTK05: Amer Avco AA-1, N5618L, Castlewood, SD, December 12, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 12, 1980
- Place: Castlewood, SD · CASTLEWOOD, SD
- Location: 44.7242° N, 97.0309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Castlewood, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7242&lon=-97.0309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FTK05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTK05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3353  80/12/12   CASTLEWOOD,SD       AMER AVCO AA-1      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 25, 52 TOTAL
        TIME - 1400                    N5618L              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 35 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SIOUX FALLS,SD              WATERTOWN,SD
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LNDD IN PLOWED FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5618L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5618L-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N AA1-0020, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMER AVCO 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801212072859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801212072859A), Dec 12, 1980: Grumav AA1, Castlewood, SD, Substantial damage. Student pilot carrying passenger, crashed airplane during emergency landing caused by fuel exhaustion.

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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