# NTSB FTW83LA317: Grumman AA-1B, N9857L, Jefferson, TX, July 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1983, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Jefferson, TX
- Coordinates: 32.759876, -94.340034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7599&lon=-94.3400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA317

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SMALL TREES AND TWO FENCES DURING TAKEOFF AND NOSED DOWN INTO THE GROUND. A WITNESS NOTICED THE ACFT WOBBLING IN THE AIR AT LOW ALT BEFORE THE COLLISION WITH THE TREES. THE DENSITY ALT WAS 2800 FT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9857L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA-1B-0457
- Airframe hours: 1188
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stuart H. Burris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 7, 1983
- Destination: SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: 6F7, Manning, runway 21, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 161 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830703028629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830703028629A), Jul 3, 1983: Gulstm AA1B, Jefferson, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed through fence during takeoff after airplane settled after liftoff.

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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