# NTSB FTW81DQD35: Grum Amer AA-1B, N9978L, Weed, NM, September 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 26, 1981
- Place: Weed, NM · WEED, NM
- Location: 32.7969° N, 105.5309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Weed, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7969&lon=-105.5309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DQD35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DQD35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2534  81/9/26  NR.WEED,NM            GRUM AMER AA-1B     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 149
        TIME - 1330                    N9978L              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 18 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROSWELL,NM                  LAS CRUCES,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLEW INTO BLIND CANYON
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      78
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- NAVIGATING BY FLWG ROADS,TOOK WRONG ROAD.UN TO TURN OVR RISING TRRN.D/A APRX 10200FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9978L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9978L-1982-04-15), registration cancelled 1982-04-15, S/N AA1B-0278 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUM AMER AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810926062999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810926062999A), Sep 26, 1981: Grumav AA1B, Weed, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot became lost following road and crashed into raising terrain in mountainous area.

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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