# NTSB FTW88LA163: American AA1B, N6208L, Houston, TX, September 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - induction air control/system - contamination (cause)
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD A FIELD. THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A LEVEE AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED INVERTED. DURING A POST-CRASH INSPECTION, A LARGE MUD DAUBER NEST WAS FOUND INSIDE THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, JUST BEHIND THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL VALVE. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH VENTED FUEL CAPS, AND THE FUEL TANK VENT LINES IN BOTH WINGS WERE OBSTRUCTED WITH A FOREIGN MATERIAL. THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL MUD-DAUBER NESTS INSIDE THE COWLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6208L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6208L-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N AA1B0008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA1B
- Registry model: [American AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1b) (registry code 0630820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0008
- Airframe hours: 1784
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gillanders, John A.
- Registered owner: Gillanders, John A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 18, 1987, 39 hours before
- Departed: 5TA4
- Airport: 5TA4, Westheimer Air Park, runway 29, 2,500 × 28 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,022 total, 345 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19880905036939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905036939A), Sep 5, 1988: Gulstm AA1B, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Aircraft nosed over after hitting a rice levee. Mud daubers had fouled air intake and vents

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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