# NTSB MIA85FA241: Grumman AA-1B, N6502L, Daytona Beach, FL, August 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1985, 20:47 local (Aug 29, 1985, 00:47 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2108° N, 81.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Daytona Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2108&lon=-81.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - instrument light(s) - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

PILOT DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TURN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS NOR DID HE HAVE A FLASH LIGHT AVAILABLE. HE CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO DARKNESS OF NIGHT AT WHICH TIME HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND LOST. HE CONTINUED TO FLY UNTIL HE EXHAUSTED ALL FUEL ON THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING ON A BEACH HE COLLIDED WITH A WOODEN STAIRWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6502L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6502L-2015-04-27), registration cancelled 2015-04-27, S/N AA1B-0302, built 1973 (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-0302
- Airframe hours: 1525
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold A. Mcdougall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 12, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Destination: 34J, NEW SMYRNA BCH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 744 total, 192 in this make and model, 744 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 5 nm away

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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