# NTSB LAX92FA121: Grumman American AA1B, N9066L, Agua Dulce, CA, February 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1992, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Agua Dulce, CA
- Coordinates: 34.429412, -118.50978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4294&lon=-118.5098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA121

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ABRUPT AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - aircraft control - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS PREPARING TO LAND AT HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLYING IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION, MAKE AN ABRUPT TURN TO THE RIGHT AND ENTER INTO A STALL/SPIN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOFT TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, ABOUT 1/2 MILE NORTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE ACTIVE RUNWAY.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9066L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0160
- Airframe hours: 2265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donley, Bobby Joe
- Registered owner: Donley, Bobby Joe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1991
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 196 total, 57 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

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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