# NTSB LAX88LA184: Grumman American AA-1B, N9601L, San Carlos, CA, May 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1988, 18:26 local (May 15, 1988, 01:26 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490749, -122.260215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4907&lon=-122.2602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA184

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system,line fitting - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A POST MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT PRIOR TO SIGN OFF OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A MUD FIELD COLLIDING WITH A DIKE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A FUEL PRESSURE LINE HAD DISCONNECTED FROM A 'T' FITTING AT THE CARBURETOR CAUSING FUEL STARVATION. EXAMINATION OF THE RECORDS AT THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD BEEN REPLACED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9601L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9601L-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N AA1B-0183, built 1973 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B0183
- Airframe hours: 2134
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Trans Bay Airways Corporation
- Registered owner: Bridges, Cecil
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SQL
- Destination: SQL
- Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 361 total, 3 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SQL

## 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 19880514022869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880514022869A), May 14, 1988: Gulstm AA1B, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern on test flight. Hit a dike short of runway. Fuel line came loose. Had been just replaced.

## Other investigations on N9601L (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK75DVD39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVD39), Mar 16, 1975: Grum Amer AA1-B (N9601L), Tracy, CA, substantial damage

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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