# NTSB FTW92LA042: Grumman AA1B, N8859L, Spur, TX, December 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1991, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Spur, TX
- Coordinates: 33.470638, -100.849693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4706&lon=-100.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART A WET MUDDY TURF AIRSTRIP. DUE TO DEGRADED TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH ROTATION SPEED AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, IT RAINED ONE DAY PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES HAD BEEN ON THE GRASS/DIRT AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8859L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8859L-1992-08-12), registration cancelled 1992-08-12, S/N AA1B0359 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0359
- Airframe hours: 2520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Winzer
- Registered owner: James W. Winzer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1991, 83 hours before
- Destination: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: 62F, Spur, runway 17, 2,600 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 125 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19911212063319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911212063319A), Dec 12, 1991: Gulstm AA1B, Spur, TX, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a strip that had been torn up and rutted by vehicles. Unable lift. Aboreted late. Ran off end.

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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