# NTSB FTW85LA276: Grumman AA1B, N8995L, Robinson, TX, July 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Robinson, TX
- Coordinates: 31.480659, -97.080726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4807&lon=-97.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA276

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - deteriorated
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO A SUITABLE LANDING AREA, A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN TALL CORN. THE ACFT NOSED OVER SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT EXAM REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT HAD BECOME SATURATED WITH FUEL, FLOODING THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8995L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0445
- Airframe hours: 2334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. Van Horn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1984, 46 hours before
- Departed: CNW, WACO TSTI, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 66 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 10 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 19850702029059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850702029059A), Jul 2, 1985: Gulstm AA1B, Robinson, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power in flight. Nosed over during landing in a maize field. Carburetor float saturated.

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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