# NTSB FTW83FA276: Grumman AA1A, N6338L, Lagrange, TX, June 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1983, 20:00 local (Jun 14, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lagrange, TX
- Coordinates: 29.900587, -96.870346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9006&lon=-96.8703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA276

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES IN SIX SEPARATE LOCATIONS AROUND THE TOWN REPORTED THE ACFT PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE AEROBATIC MANEUVERS & BUZZING RECREATIONAL AREAS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY OBSERVED DOING 'ROLLER-COASTER' OR FIGURE-8 MANEUVERS, STALL & SPIN INTO A BARN. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.156%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6338L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A 0338
- Airframe hours: 986
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry Glen Wade
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: T49, LAGRANGE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16 total, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19830613026849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830613026849A), Jun 13, 1983: Gulstm AA1A, La Grange, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed through roof of a barn during low level acrobatic and buzzing maneuvers.

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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