# NTSB MIA95LA219: American AA-1, N112FA, Sarasota, FL, September 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1995, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Coordinates: 27.360466, -82.319496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3605&lon=-82.3195&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 November 8, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA219

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A PREMATURE TAKEOFF, AND SUBSEQUENT IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY PERFORMANCE DATA COMPUTATIONS FOR THE FLIGHT AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION DUE TO CONVERSATION WITH THE PASSENGER WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll he realized that there was insufficient runway to complete the takeoff. He was distracted by conversations with the passenger and made no attempt to abort the takeoff. He prematurely lifted the airplane off the runway and climbed to about 20 to 30 feet. The airplane did not accelerate, collided with trees, and crashed. No performance planning was performed for the flight.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 1995, about 1615 eastern daylight time, an American AA-1, N112FA, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff from the Hidden River Airport, Sarasota, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he was on takeoff roll on runway 27, when he realized their was insufficient runway remaining to complete the takeoff. He was distracted by conversations with the passenger and made no attempt to abort the takeoff, and prematurely lifted the airplane off the runway at about 60 mph, and climbed to about 20 to 30 feet. The airplane did not accelerate and collided with trees along the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot observed another tree and maneuvered the airplane to avoid a collision. The right wing collided with the tree and crashed. He further stated he was operating the airplane at or near maximum gross weight and he did not perform any performance calculations for the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112FA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112FA-2014-10-24), registration cancelled 2014-10-24, S/N AA1-0025, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (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: AA1-0025
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Furfari
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1995
- Departed: 61X
- Airport: 61X, Hiden River Airport, runway 27, 2,525 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,762 total, 180 in this make and model, 5,297 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 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 19950910028159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950910028159A), Sep 10, 1995: Gulstm AA1, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. Running out of runway on takeoff. Lifted early. Failed climb. Collided with trees. At gross wt. Failed to abort.

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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