# NTSB LAX91FA020: Grumman AA-1B, N9956L, Solana Beach, CA, November 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1990, 07:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Solana Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 32.99961, -117.25901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9996&lon=-117.2590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA020

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE REPORTER PASSENGER TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT IN A CRITICAL FLIGHT SITUATION, HIS DECISION TO ALLOW THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND TO AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW TO ALLOW FOR CONTINGENCIES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS PROPERLY LOADED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - intentional, passenger
  - airspeed - not maintained, passenger (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED OVER GROSS WEIGHT WITH A CG OUTSIDE THE REAR ENVELOPE LIMIT. THE PIC AND REPORTER PROCEEDED TO THE SITE OF AN AUTO ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE FACT THAT THE REPORTER, WHO WAS CURRENTLY RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION AND HELD AN EXPIRED STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE, WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT VIOLATED COMPANY MINIMUM ALTITUDE LIMITS BY DESCENDING TO ABOUT 800 FT AGL AND INITIATED A SERIES OF STEEP TURNS AT SLOW AIRSPEED. STATEMENTS FROM OTHER PILOTS ESTABLISHED THAT THE REPORTER LIKED TO CROSS CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT IN ORDER TO HAVE A BETTER VIEW OF THE GROUND. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT PERFORM AN ABRUPT MANEUVER THEN SPIN TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9956L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9956L-1992-05-15), registration cancelled 1992-05-15, S/N AA1B0456 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0456
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: California Wings
- Registered owner: O'Hare Patrick M.
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 945 total, 95 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CRQ, 8 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 19901101048829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901101048829A), Nov 1, 1990: Gulstm AA1B, Solana Beach, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Made sudden steep turn,rolled,stalled,and spun in. Helium balloons in area. Traffic watch, circling accident scene.

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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