DFW05CA157

NTSB accident investigation · Grumman AA1B · Llano, TX · July 5, 2005

Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 5, 2005, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
Place
Llano, TX
Injuries
1 serious, 1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N1466RGrumman AA1B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 27, 2005
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
San Antonio, Air Safety Investigator, Lycoming
FAA report
20050705015439A
Case key
61680

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff resulting in an overrun. A factor was the high density altitude.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanicalTakeoff - aborted
Reason for occurrence undetermined
OverrunTakeoff - aborted
Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor
Object - tree(s)
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterTakeoff - aborted
Terrain condition - ground
Nose overTakeoff - aborted

Analysis

The 204-hour pilot picked up a passenger at Llano Municipal Airport (AQO), and prior to departure, he filled the left tank with fuel and that the right tank had approximately 7 gallons of fuel in it. The pilot also reported that it was a "hot-muggy" afternoon. The pilot departed runway 17 and after reaching 50-75 feet into the air, he reported that the engine "started to lose power and settle back to the ground". The airplane came to rest inverted, off the end of the runway. The density altitude was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be 3,967 feet and that the aircraft was with in a few pounds (+/-) of it's maximum take-off weight of 1,560 pounds. Examination of the airplane's engine was conducted on July 13, 2005, by the engine manufacturer's representative under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The engine was successfully run for approximately 5 minutes at various power settings. The engine was run to full throttle, which resulted in a reading of approximately 2,200 rpm. An additional 150 rpm was gained by leaning the engine. Per the Type Certificate Data Sheet the minimum static rpm should be 2150 at full power.

Factual narrative

On July 5, 2005, at 1845 central daylight time, a single-engine Grumman AA-1B airplane, N1466R, was substantially damaged during an overrun when it impacted terrain following a reported loss of engine power during takeoff near Llano, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The private pilot received serious injuries and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The local flight was departing from the Llano Municipal Airport (AQO), near Llano, Texas, at the time of the accident, and was destined for the Eldorado Airport (27R).

The 204-hour private pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he picked up a passenger at AQO, and prior to departure he filled the left tank with fuel. He also stated that the right tank contained approximately 7 gallons of fuel. The pilot added that it was a "hot and muggy" afternoon. The pilot departed runway 17 (4,202 foot by 75-foot asphalt), and after reaching 50-75 feet above the ground, he reported that the engine "started to lose power and settled back to the ground". At that point, the pilot elected to abort the take-off. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, coming to rest in the inverted position in a wooded area, off the departure end of the runway.

An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and reported the right wing and nose gear had been sheared-off. Additionally, the airplane had extensive damage to the canopy, fuselage, and empennage.

The density altitude was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be 3,967 feet. A review of the weight and balance calculations revealed the aircraft was within a few pounds (+/-) of it's maximum take-off weight of 1,560 pounds.

Examination of the airplane was conducted on July 13, 2005, at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas, near Lancaster, Texas, by a representative from Lycoming, under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The Lycoming engine was successfully run for approximately 5 minutes at various power settings. The engine was run to full throttle, which resulted in an rpm reading of approximately 2,200. An additional 150 rpm was gained by leaning the engine. Per the Type Certificate Data Sheet the minimum static rpm should be 2150 rpm at the maximum throttle setting (McCauley 1A105/SCM-7157 propeller).

At 1905, the automated weather observing system at AQO, reported calm wind, 5 miles visibility in haze, sky clear, temperature 97 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of Mercury.

Aircraft

Registration
N1466R
Reported as
Grumman AA1B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
AA1B-0566
Airframe hours
3,111
Engine
Lycoming O-235-C2C, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · September 1, 2004 · 104 hours before
Departed
6R9 · Llano, TX
Destination
27R · Eldorado, TX
Airport
6R9 · Llano Muni, runway 17, 4,202 × 75 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
46
Injuries
Serious
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
November 1, 2003
Seat
Left
Flight hours
204 total · 170 in this make and model · 25 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
0° at 0 knots
Visibility
5 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
97 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter
29.95 inHg
Observed at
AQO

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.