# NTSB NYC00LA170: Grumman American AA-1, N761XA, Nashua, NH, June 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 2000, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Nashua, NH - Location: 42.7824° N, 71.5141° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BOIRE FLD (ASH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7824&lon=-71.5141&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49472/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA170 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed corrective action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, dual student - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff ## Analysis Approximately a week before the accident, the instructor went over soft-field takeoffs with the student, and then again, on the day of the accident for 5 to 10 minutes. The student started the engine, and taxied to the runway for the first takeoff of the day. The airplane rolled onto the runway, the student advanced the throttle, and the airplane accelerated. During the takeoff sequence, the airplane developed a minor pitch oscillation. Also, the nose of the airplane moved left, and then right. Directional control stabilized, and then the airplane 'veered sharply' to the right. As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the instructor took control, but was unable to maneuver it back onto the runway. The airplane entered a wood area, and came to a stop. The instructor secured the airplane, and both he and his student exited unassisted. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2000, at 1130 Eastern Daylight Time, a Grumman American AA-1, N761XA, was substantially damage during takeoff, when it departed the right side of Runway 32 at Boire Field Airport, Nashua, New Hampshire. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the instructor, approximately a week before the accident, he went over soft-field takeoffs with the student during a ground school session. Then again, on the day of the accident for 5 to 10 minutes while sitting in the airplane before starting the engine. The student started the engine, and taxied to the runway for the first takeoff of the day. The airplane rolled onto the runway, the student advanced the throttle, and the airplane accelerated. During the takeoff sequence, the airplane developed a minor pitch oscillation. Also, the nose of the airplane moved left, and then right. Directional control stabilized, and then the airplane "veered sharply" to the right. As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the instructor took control, but was unable to maneuver it back onto the runway. The airplane entered a wood area, and came to a stop. The instructor secured the airplane, and both he and his student exited unassisted. The student had almost completed his training and planned to take his private pilot check-ride the following week. The instructor added that as a student gets closer to taking their check-ride, he tries to let them recover from deviations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N761XA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761XA-2001-10-17), registration cancelled 2001-10-17, S/N AA1-0306, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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: AA1-0306 - Airframe hours: 3830 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 125 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Schossnagle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2000, 80 hours before - Departed: ASH - Airport: ASH, Boire Field, runway 32, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,448 total, 35 in this make and model, 3,256 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ASH ## 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 20000619019139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000619019139A), Jun 19, 2000: Amrgen AA1, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) A/c started take off normally on runway 32. The student pilot was practicing simulated soft field take offs. At rotation, the a/c was unstable and pilot… 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.