# NTSB LAX87LA181: Grumman AA1C, N9545U, Redlands, CA, April 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1987, 15:26 local (22:26 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999137, -117.120674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9991&lon=-117.1207&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 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PLT STATED THAT THE ESTIMATED FUEL CAPACITY IN THE ACFT WAS APRX 12 GALS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE PLT TOOK-OFF ON THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR APRX 15 MINUTES THEN RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. ON THE THIRD TAKE-OFF, ASCENDING THROUGH 500 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH AN INCLINED MOUND. THE ACFT AT THIS TIME STARTED TO DEVELOP POWER AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A FENCE AND NUMEROUS TREES AND FINALLY CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL SIGNS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9545U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9545U-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N AA1C0007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1C-0007
- Airframe hours: 1345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jones, Granville P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1987, 18 hours before
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Airport: L12, Redlands, runway 26, 4,500 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,500 total, 190 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 4 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 19870418010389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870418010389A), Apr 18, 1987: Gulstm STCAA1, Redlands, CA, Destroyed. The engine failed shortly after a touch and go. Aircraft hit trees and a fence. Pilot failed to switch fuel tanks.

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.