# NTSB LAX83LJA07: Grumman AA-1C, N39019, Kauai, HI, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1983, 10:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Kauai, HI
- Coordinates: 21.970842, -159.709579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9708&lon=-159.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LJA07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LJA07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DESCENDED AT A FLAT ANGLE UNDER POWER INTO TREES AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AT 1010 FOR A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 78 AND THE DEW POINT WAS 65 DEGREES F. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF FLIGHT THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID CLOUDS AND BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE ADDED THROTTLE BUT COULD NOT GET FULL POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND WITH BEST CLIMB AIRSPEED AND FULL THROTTLE. MAINTAINING WHAT POWER HE COULD AND A FLAT RATE OF DESCENT THE PILOT FLEW INTO A SLIGHTLY UPWARD SLOPING GROUP OF TREES IN THE MAKAHA VALLEY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39019 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1C0187
- Airframe hours: 3426
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hawaii Country Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1983, 66 hours before
- Departed: LIH, LIHUE, HI
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 06

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 570 total, 26 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIH, 22 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 19830515019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830515019149A), May 15, 1983: Gulstm AA1C, Makaha Valley, HI, Substantial damage. Pilot reported unable to check a sink rate after a 180 to avoid low clouds. Crashed into trees on upslope.

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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