# NTSB MIA08CA087: American Grumman AA 1B, N15FA, State College, PA, April 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 6, 2008, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: State College, PA - Coordinates: 40.849445, -77.848609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8494&lon=-77.8486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA087 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0630820), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [American AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=0630820), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0630820), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated, that he and his student were on a training flight. The CFI conducted a preflight inspection, and no anomalies were noted. After the preflight, he taxied to runway 24, added full power, and the engine was developing 2,400 rpm. He recalled that he rotated the airplane at 65 knots, and that during climb out, at about 300 feet, the power dropped to 2,100 rpm. He acknowledged that he knew he had a problem so he completed the emergency checklist, and made a precautionary off field landing. During the precautionary landing the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that valve train continuity was established. Further examination revealed that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the engine, and the decrease in engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated, that he and his student were on a training flight. The CFI conducted a preflight inspection, and no anomalies were noted. After the preflight, he taxied to runway 24, added full power, and the engine was developing 2,400 rpm. He recalled that he rotated the airplane at 65 knots, and that during climb out, at about 300 feet, the power dropped to 2,100 rpm. He acknowledged that he knew he had a problem so he completed the emergency checklist, and made a precautionary off field landing. During the precautionary landing the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that valve train continuity was established. Further examination revealed that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the engine, and the decrease in engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15FA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15FA-2009-03-12), registration cancelled 2009-03-12, S/N AA1B-0014, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) Grumman AA 1B - Registry model: [American AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1b) (registry code 0630820) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1B-0014 - Airframe hours: 2363 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Snapflight USA Incorporated - Registered owner: Mahoney Meredith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008, 30 hours before - Departed: UNV, STATE COLLEGE, PA - Destination: UNV, STATE COLLEGE, PA - Airport: UNV, University Park, runway 24, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 1,300 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: UNV ## 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 20080406837529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080406837529A), Apr 6, 2008: Amrgen AA1B, State College, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine runup prior to takeoff was normal. Full power at 2400 RPM. Approx. 300' altitude RPM dropped to 2100, and airspeed dropped to approx. 80MPH. Tanks… 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.