# NTSB FTW87FA137: Grumman AA-1B, N1403R, Bulverde, TX, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Bulverde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.770423, -98.450813 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7704&lon=-98.4508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - aborted
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - intentional, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED LIFTOFF TWO OR THREE TIMES BUT AFTER EACH TRY THE ACFT WOULD SETTLE BACK ONTO THE RWY. WHEN ABOUT 50 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE RWY, THE ACFT AGAIN LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 15 FT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING ACTIVATED AND HE IMMEDIATELY ABORTED THE TKOF. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE RWY END AND THE PLT INTENTIONALLY STEERED OFF THE RT SIDE OF THE RWY IN ORDER TO AVOID A STEEP DROP-OFF INTO A RIVER BED. EXAM OF THE ACFT AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT ASSURE THAT THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE BOTH POSITION PRIOR TO TKOF AND AS A RESULT OF THIS THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB PROPERLY. THE ACFT'S CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT WAS EXCEEDED BY 12 POUNDS AT TKOF AND THE TKOF WAS ATTEMPTED WITH A 5 KNOT TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1403R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B0503
- Airframe hours: 1267
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jesse Baldwind
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1987, 61 hours before
- Departed: 11XS, BULVERDE, TX
- Destination: 3R5, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
- Airport: 11XS, Bulverde Airpark, runway 16, 2,850 × 42 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 306 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 15 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 19870606018859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606018859A), Jun 6, 1987: Gulstm AA1B, Bulverde, TX, Substantial damage. Unable to stay airborne on takeoff. Aborted and ground looped into a tree to avoid overrun. Mag switch on one mag.

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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