# NTSB NYC83LA194: Grumman AA-1C, N9978U, Doylestown, PA, July 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1983, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Doylestown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.310245, -75.119308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3102&lon=-75.1193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT MADE 2 TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS, THEN WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR THE RWY BEFORE TAKING OFF AGAIN. WHILE CLIMBING TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE ON THE 3RD TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY CHECKLIST TO RESTART THE ENG WAS NOT COMPLETED BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS OF THE GROUND. WHILE LANDING IN A SOYBEAN FIELD, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9978U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9978U-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N AA1C0172, 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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hortman Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: N88, DOYLESTOWWN, PA
- Airport: N88, Doylestown, runway 5, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830727039619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830727039619A), Jul 27, 1983: Gulstm AA1C, Doylestown, PA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine lost power after takeoff.

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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