# NTSB FTW87FA041: American AA-1A, N9493L, Robertson, TX, December 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1986, 16:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Robertson, TX
- Coordinates: 33.43066, -101.640106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4307&lon=-101.6401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(va) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CIRCLING THE TOP OF A 94 FT TALL OIL WELL MAKEOVER RIG WHEN IT DESCENDED BELOW THEIR LINE OF SIGHT. ANOTHER WITNESS A MILE AWAY STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SPINNING BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNCTION IN THE ENGINE OR FLIGHT CONTROLS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9493L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9493L-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N AA1A-0293, 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: AA1A0293
- Airframe hours: 1777
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hoff Guid
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1986, 64 hours before
- Departed: F49, SLATON, TX
- Destination: F82, LUBBOCK, TX
- Airport: F49, Slaton Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 242 total, 75 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19861230085229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861230085229A), Dec 30, 1986: Gulstm AA1A, Robertson, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft was observed circling low over an oil rig when it spun into the ground.

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.