# NTSB LAX94LA298: Grumman AA-1B, N8972L, Corona, CA, July 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1994, 20:05 local (Jul 27, 1994, 03:05 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 34.639804, -120.019721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6398&lon=-120.0197&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 May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA298 ## Probable cause AN UNDETERMINED PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING INITIAL CLIMB HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. INSUFFICIENT ENGINE POWER WAS PRODUCED TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT, AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO ROUGH TERRAIN ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE RICH POSITION, AND IT SMOOTHED OUT WHEN THE MIXTURE WAS PLACED IN THE LEAN POSITION. NO BLOCKAGES WERE NOTED IN THE ENGINE'S INDUCTION SYSTEM. THE CARBURETOR WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND NO ABNORMALITIES WERE FOUND. THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CONTROL LINKAGES WERE REPORTED TO BE CORRECTLY INSTALLED. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1994, at 2005 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-1B, N8972L, operated by Paradise Aviation, Inc., experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 25 at the Corona Municipal (uncontrolled) Airport, Corona, California. The commercial pilot reported that he was unable to accelerate beyond the best angle of climb airspeed. After climbing to about 250 feet above the runway, the pilot entered a shallow bank turn to avoid colliding with trees. At the completion of the turn, the pilot attempted to reverse course and land on runway 07. Approaching the runway, the airplane descended into an open field and was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and was examined under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board. No blockages were noted in the engine's induction system. The engine was test run. According to the mechanic who performed the test for the Safety Board, it ran extremely rough until the mixture control was pulled all the way out to idle cut off, at which time the engine smoothed out. The carburetor was visually inspected and no abnormalities were found. The throttle and mixture control linkages were reported to be correctly installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8972L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8972L-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N AA1B-0422, built 1974 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1B-0422 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paradise Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Pamela King - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L66, CA - Destination: L66, CA - Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 12 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F ## 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 19940726019389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940726019389A), Jul 26, 1994: Gulstm AA1B, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on climbout. Tried return but landed short. No engine problems except over rich fuel mixture. 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.