# NTSB NYC82DA138: Grumman AA-1C, N39050, West Haven, CT, July 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: West Haven, CT
- Location: 41.2721° N, 72.9675° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Haven, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2721&lon=-72.9675&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - sand bar

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED BRIDGEPORT, CT AT 1200 HOURS AND ARRIVED AT NANTUCKET, MA AT 1345 HOURS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE MADE A TOUCH-AND-GO AT FISHERS ISLAND AND PRACTICED STALL MANEUVERS. HE DEPARTED NANTUCKET AT ABOUT 1430 HOURS WITHOUT REFUELING. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE RAN LOW ON FUEL AND DIVERTED TO NEW HAVEN, CT. HOWEVER, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SAND BAR. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ROCKS AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39050](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39050-1982-10-06), registration cancelled 1982-10-06, S/N AA1C0203, built 1978 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1C-0203
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Frederick Terhaar, Jr.
- Registered owner: Frederick Terhaar, Jr.
- Departed: NANTUCKET, MA
- Destination: BRIDGEPORT, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 58 total, 1 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles

## 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 19820702028209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702028209A), Jul 2, 1982: Gulstm AA1C, West Haven, CT, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on coastline during emergency landing after fuel exhaustion.

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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