# NTSB LAX87LA098: Grumman AA-1B, N1408R, Tracy, CA, January 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1987, 16:04 local (Jan 26, 1987, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729743, -121.420524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7297&lon=-121.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - chafed (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,ring - other (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 200 FT AGL THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A GRAVEL PIT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BANK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #1 CYLINDER AND PISTON HAD MODERATE TO SEVERE SCUFFING AND THE RINGS WERE OVER LAPPING IN SEVERAL PLACES BY METAL TRANSFER. THE #1 PISTON WAS A NEW PISTON WITH P10 STAMPED ON THE INSIDE TO INDICATE IT WAS A .010 OVERSIZED PISTON. THE REMAINING PISTONS WERE STANDARD SIZE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1408R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1408R-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N AA1B-0508, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G14711
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael C. Scranton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1987
- Departed: 104, TRACY, CA
- Destination: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Airport: runway 11, 3,680 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 71 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 12 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 19870125000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870125000999A), Jan 25, 1987: Gulstm AA1B, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. The engine seized during takeoff and aircraft landed in a gravel pit. An oversized piston had been installed.

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.