# NTSB ERA12CA418: Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, N9675U, West Chester, PA, June 27, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2012, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: West Chester, PA
- Coordinates: 39.98722, -75.575836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9872&lon=-75.5758&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Philadelphia FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA418
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84110/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84110
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA418

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that, before entering the airport traffic pattern, he obtained the weather information, which indicated wind from 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He flew the traffic pattern to runway 27, and stated that the airplane was aligned with the runway centerline when it was about 30 feet above the runway threshold. About 15 feet above the runway, the pilot felt the airplane yaw to the left, which he corrected with right rudder. The airplane then began to sink quickly, so the pilot applied full throttle while maintaining wings level in an attempt to go around. After the engine achieved full power, the airplane landed "hard" near the left side of the runway, bounced, and headed about 40 degrees left of the runway centerline. The airplane touched down once again and traveled onto a ramp where it impacted two parked airplanes. The accident airplane incurred substantial wing and fuselage damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he obtained the weather prior to entering the airport traffic pattern, which included winds from 280 degrees true at 10, gusting to 15 knots. He flew the traffic pattern to runway 27, with the airplane arriving about 30 feet above runway threshold and aligned with the runway centerline. About 15 feet above the runway, the pilot felt the airplane yaw to the left, which he corrected with right rudder. The airplane then began to sink quickly, so the pilot applied full throttle while maintaining wings level. After the engine achieved full power, the airplane landed "hard" near the left side of the runway, bounced, and headed about 40 degrees left of runway centerline. The airplane touched down once again, traveled onto a ramp and impacted two parked airplanes. The accident aircraft incurred substantial wing and fuselage damage. Postflight examination of the airplane revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9675U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9675U-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N AA1C0097, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. 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: AA1C0097
- Airframe hours: 2708
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2012
- Departed: KMMU, Morristown, NJ
- Destination: KOQN, West Chester, PA
- Airport: OQN, Brandywine Airport, runway 27, 3,347 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 373 total, 90 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KOQN

## 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 20120627013231A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120627013231A), Jun 27, 2012: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-1C, West Chester, PA, Destroyed. On 27 June 2012 at approximately 1540Z (11:40 EDT), N9675U, model AA1C, was on approach to runway 27 at the Brandywine Airport (koqn) located near West…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84110. 5.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Witness Interview Summaries and Statements (item 3, .PDF, 213 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summaries%20and%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Excerpt from AA1C Type Certificate Data Sheet (item 5, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AA1C%20Type%20Certificate%20Data%20Sheet-Master.PDF
- Brandywine (OQN) Meteorological Observations (item 6, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Brandywine%20(OQN)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - View of Right Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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