# NTSB LAX91LA176: Grumman AA-LC, N31DV, Inyokern, CA, April 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1991, 20:30 local (Apr 14, 1991, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.880462, -118.150871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8805&lon=-118.1509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA176

## Probable cause

POOR FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

A GRUMMAN AA-1C COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE FLOWN 6.4 HOURS SINCE IT WAS LAST SERVICED WITH 22 GALLONS OF FUEL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL AT THE AIRPLANE ACCIDENT SITE. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS RETRIEVED AND EXAMINED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM. DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE AN EXTERNAL FUEL TANK WAS USED TO SUPPLY THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND IT RAN SMOOTHLY WITHOUT ANY DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31DV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31DV-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N AA1C0200 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-LC
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AALC 0200
- Airframe hours: 2166
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E26 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald Y. Stanton
- Registered owner: Donald Y. Stanton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: L00, ROSAMOND, CA
- Destination: IYN, INYOKERN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 200 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910413014299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910413014299A), Apr 13, 1991: Gulstm AA1C, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with terrain on a night crosscountry. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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