# NTSB LAX84LA499: Grumman American AA1C, N9541U, Molokai, HI, September 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1984, 13:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Molokai, HI
- Location: 21.1383° N, 157.0125° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Molokaʻi, HI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1383&lon=-157.0125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA499
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA499

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON THE LAST LEG OF HIS 1ST X-COUNTRY FLT FROM HONOLULU, HI, TO LANAI, HI, TO MOLOKAI, HI, & RETURN TO HONOLULU. HE DEPARTED MOLOKAI AT 1304 HST & AT 1311, HE REPORTED ABEAM LAAU POINT. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS 15 TO 20 MI WEST OF LAAU POINT & WAS 'HAVING ENG TROUBLE - GOING INTO THE WATER.' THE COAST GUARD & CIVIL AIR PATROL CONDUCTED A SEARCH, BUT NEITHER THE ACFT NOR THE PLT WERE FOUND. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DITCHED & DESTROYED. THE PLT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES OR DROWNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9541U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA1C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1600
- Airframe hours: 3505
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hawaii Country Club Of The Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: MKK, MOLOKAI, HI
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKK, 28 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 19840928073349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840928073349A), Sep 28, 1984: Gulstm AA1C, Molokai, HI, Destroyed. Pilot told flight service he was going into the water. Search and rescue found no trace of aircraft.

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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