# NTSB ERA12CA523: Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, N9858L, Bedford, PA, August 22, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 22, 2012, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, PA
- Coordinates: 40.084999, -78.509162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0850&lon=-78.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA523
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84777/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84777
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA523

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing and subsequent go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to shutoff the carburetor heat during the attempted go-around and the weight at which the airplane was being operated.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the airplane began to porpoise after landing. When his efforts to correct the porpoise and continue the landing were not successful, the pilot decided to go around. During the attempted go-around, the pilot did not believe that he was going to clear some trees and decided to land the airplane in a field. The nose and right main landing gear collapsed after touchdown, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical issues and that the engine was producing full power. However, he added that the airplane’s engine only produced 100 horsepower and that he did not feel as though he was gaining enough altitude and was “behind the airplane” during the go-around. Examination of the airplane revealed that carburetor heat control was "ON," the throttle was in the full open position, and the mixture control was in the full rich position. Review of the airplane's owner's manual revealed that the pilot should immediately apply full power and turn the carburetor heat off during a go-around. Further review of the owner's manual indicated that, based on the airplane’s basic empty weight, the weights of the occupants, and the fuel on board, the airplane was operating at or near its published maximum gross weight during the accident.

## Factual narrative

While landing the pilot touched down and the airplane began to porpoise. The pilot then added power and attempted to land again. The airplane once again touched down and began to porpoise. This time the pilot decided to do a go-around. During the go-around he did not feel he was going to clear some trees and decided to put the airplane down in a field. Upon touching down in the field, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear collapsed. The left wing, right wing, and fuselage incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues and the engine was producing full power but, the airplane only had about a hundred horsepower and he did not feel as though he was gaining enough altitude. He also stated that he was “behind” the airplane during the go-around. Examination of the airport and accident site revealed that during the go-around, the airplane had made ground contact off the right side of the runway, became airborne again, flew over the top of a fence, and then touched down in the field. Examination of the airplane revealed that carburetor heat control was "ON". The push-pull type throttle was in the full open position, and the mixture control was in the full rich position. Review of the airplane's owner's manual revealed that if a porpoise was encountered during landing, a go-around should be executed by applying full power immediately and shutting "OFF" the carburetor heat. Further review of the owner's manual, along with the weight of the occupants, and the fuel on-board, revealed that during the occurrence, the airplane was being operated close to its published maximum gross weight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9858L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9858L), registered now, S/N AA1B-0458, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (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: AA1B-0458
- Airframe hours: 3940
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2011, 14 hours before
- Departed: FME, Ft. Meade, MD
- Destination: HMZ, Bedford, PA
- Airport: HMZ, Bedford County Airport, runway 32, 5,005 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: AOO, 16 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 20120822019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120822019499A), Aug 22, 2012: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-1B, Bedford, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that as he attempted to land, the aircraft began to porpoise. The aircraft main gear touched the surface of the runway and the pilot applied…

## Docket (13 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84777. 2.0 MB in all.

- Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 1, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Excerpts from Model AA-1B Owner's Manual (item 4, .PDF, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Model%20AA-1B%20Owner%27s%20Manual-Master.PDF
- Non-return of NTSB Form 6120 (item 5, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377882&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Non-return%20of%20NTSB%20Form%206120-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377914&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Propeller and Right Wing Damage (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Propeller%20and%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Propeller and Left Wing Damage (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Propeller%20and%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Right Side Fuselage Damage (FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Right%20Side%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Close-Up of Right Wing Damage (FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Close-Up%20of%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Carburetor Heat Knob in "ON" Position (FAA) (item 11, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Carburetor%20Heat%20Knob%20in%20%22ON%22%20Position%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 7: Left Wing Tank Vertical Sight Gauge Showing Fuel Quantity (FAA) (item 12, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Tank%20Vertical%20Sight%20Gauge%20Showing%20Fuel%20Quantity%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 8: Right Wing Tank Vertical Sight Gauge Showing Fuel Quantity (FAA) (item 13, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%3A%20Right%20Wing%20Tank%20Vertical%20Sight%20Gauge%20Showing%20Fuel%20Quantity%20(FAA)-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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