# NTSB FTW85LA216: Grumman AA1A, N6399L, Sweetwater, TX, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1985, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Sweetwater, TX
- Coordinates: 32.459518, -100.399559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4595&lon=-100.3996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA216

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT FLIPPED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON AN EMPTY TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED HE MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO SWITCH TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6399L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6399L-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N AA1A0399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A-0399
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John J. Hobby
- Registered owner: John J. Hobby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FTW, FT. WORTH, TX
- Airport: SWW, Sweetwater

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850508019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850508019159A), May 8, 1985: Gulstm AA1A, Sweetwater, TX, Destroyed. Engine failed on downwind due to fuel exhaustion in selected tank. Nosed over during rollout in field.

## Other investigations on N6399L (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK75FVG29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG29), Oct 14, 1974: Amer Avco AA1-A (N6399L), Davis, CA, substantial damage

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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