# NTSB MIA92LA033: Grumman AA-1C, N9783U, Lantana, FL, November 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1991, 21:40 local (Nov 22, 1991, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Lantana, FL
- Coordinates: 26.579736, -80.070892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5797&lon=-80.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA033

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE BECOMING DISCONNECTED IN FLIGHT AND SUBSEQUENT 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, cruise
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, ENGINE POWER DROPPED TO 1200 RPM AND COULD NOT BE RESTORED. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A CITY STREET AT NIGHT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TWO VEHICLES. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUT WHICH ATTACHES THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO THE CARBURETOR WAS MISSING AND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED 20 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9783U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9783U-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N AA1C0121, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (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: AA1C0121
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gluck, Brion
- Registered owner: Merkle Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Destination: LNA, LANTANA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,531 total, 392 in this make and model, 1,204 as pilot in command, 319 in the last 90 days, 176 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 15 nm away

## 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 19911121053489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911121053489A), Nov 21, 1991: Gulstm AA1C, Lantana, FL, Substantial damage. Engine went to idle in flight. Landing on a road struck vehicles. Throttle cable became detached from carburetor.

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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