# NTSB IAD97LA016: Grumman American AA-1B, N9926L, Gaithersburg, MD, November 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 5, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Gaithersburg, MD - Coordinates: 39.169773, -77.180419 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1698&lon=-77.1804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA016 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight, and his failure to detect an insufficent fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing after takeoff. Uneven terrain (drop-off in the emergency landing area) was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot last flew the airplane about 45 days before the accident. He stated that he thought the left wing fuel tank was 1/3 full and the right wing fuel tank was half full, based on the fuel he purchased before his previous flight. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection and had removed the fuel caps. He was unable to see fuel due to the design of the tanks. The pilot stated that when a perspective buyer of the airplane arrived, they boarded the airplane and taxied to the runway. The engine runup, takeoff roll, and rotation were normal. At about 200 feet, the engine lost power, and the pilot initiated a left turn back to the runway. The airplane impacted the ground, skidded across a raised road, and continued down a steep grade where it nosed over. The pilot and passenger exited through the rear window openings. The pilot could not recall looking at the fuel sight gauges in the cockpit before takeoff. An FAA inspector found no mechanical problem with the engine, and stated that no fuel could be found in the airplane or at the scene. ## Factual narrative On November 5, 1996, approximately 1700 eastern standard time, a Grumman American AA-1B, N9926L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Montgomery County Airpark, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The certificated private pilot/owner and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot/owner arrived at the airport at 1600 to meet a perspective buyer of the airplane. The pilot stated that he "performed a preflight inspection and other local errands while waiting for the buyer to arrive." When the perspective buyer arrived, approximately 1645, they boarded the airplane, started the engine, and taxied to the runway for a closed-pattern demonstration flight. Runup, takeoff roll and rotation were all normal. The owner stated that at 200 feet the engine suddenly lost power. The owner then initiated a left turn back to the runway. The owner stated that he was unable to make it to the runway, so he attempted to land in a small vacant lot. The airplane impacted the ground, skidded across a raised road, struck trees, and continued down a steep grade where it nosed over. The pilot and passenger exited through the rear window opening. The pilot recalled that the last time he flew and fueled the airplane was in late September, when he returned to Gaithersburg from an airport near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The pilot stated that he thought he had a third of a tank in the left wing, and a half of a tank in the right wing, based on his flights in September. The pilot stated that he removed the caps from each wing during his preflight inspection, but, due to the design of the tanks, he was unable to see any fuel. The airplane's fuel gauges consisted of the sight glass with the float balls, on both sides of the cockpit area. The pilot stated that he could not remember looking at them, and could not recollect what the gauges indicated prior to takeoff. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed no mechanical problems with the engine or its components. During his inspection of the fuel system, the Inspector found both wing tanks empty, and saw no signs of leakage or spillage. The Inspector removed the main fuel supply lines and found no residual fuel in the system. He operationally checked the fuel drains, and they functioned normally. No verification of the amount of fuel purchased, or the amount of flight time accumulated since the fuel was purchased was provided by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9926L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9926L-1998-04-04), registration cancelled 1998-04-04, S/N AA1B0226 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-1B - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0226 - Airframe hours: 1754 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tyler G. Stewart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: GAI - Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 14, 4,196 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 505 total, 398 in this make and model, 456 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 24 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 19961105034819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961105034819A), Nov 5, 1996: Gulstm AA1B, Gaithersburg, MD, Destroyed. Witnesses say that aircraft lost power and crashed into some bushes. 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.