# NTSB FTW84LA161: American AA-1A, N9460L, Smithville, TX, March 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1984, 18:20 local (Mar 12, 1984, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Smithville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.000555, -97.150665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0006&lon=-97.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PVT NON-INSTRUMENT PLT RECEIVED TWO WX BRIEFINGS FOR HIS ROUTE OF FLT FROM MADISON, MS, TO LUFKIN, TX, TO COLLEGE STATION, TX, TO SAN ANTONIO, TX. THE LAST BRIEFING FROM COLLEGE STATION FSS INFORMED THE PLT THAT MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS EXSISTED ALONG THE ROUTE AND SAN ANTONIO WAS REPORTED IFR. THE PLT DEPARTED COLLEGE STATION AND REPORTED THATWHEN NEAR LOCKHART, TX, A DESCENT TO 1500 FT MSL WAS PERFORMED TO MAINTAIN IN VMC. WHEN ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT AUSTIN APCH FAILED THE PLT TURNED AROUND TO PROCEED TO SMITHVILLE, TX, AND SAID HE OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE X-WIND AND BECAME DISORIENTED. AFTER FLYING AROUND FOR SOMETIME IT BEGAN TO GET DARK SO THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9460L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9460L-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N AA1A-0260, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (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: 0260
- Airframe hours: 2239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe Fulgham Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983
- Departed: 14R, CALDWELL, TX
- Destination: SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 769 total, 662 in this make and model, 742 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 31 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 19840311006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840311006469A), Mar 11, 1984: Gulstm AA1A, Smithville, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot continued into deteriorating weather and airplane crashed during precautionary landing attempt.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.