# NTSB NYC83LA223: American AA-1, N5686L, Dunkirk, NY, August 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1983, 13:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Dunkirk, NY
- Coordinates: 42.469749, -79.330215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4697&lon=-79.3302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT APRX 0955 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM SCHENECTADY, NY WITH 24 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. ABOUT 2 1/2 HRS LATER, WHILE ON A DOWNWIND TO LAND AT DUNKIRK, NY, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT & THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS SHUT OFF & A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR, LOWER COWL & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CHECK THE FUEL TANKS WHILE AT ALTITUDE & SWITCHED THE SELECTOR TO THE FULLEST TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5686L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5686L), registered now, S/N AA1-0086, built 1969 (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: AA1-0086
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neal Rzepkowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1983
- Departed: SCH, SCHENECTADY, NY
- Destination: DKK, DUNKIRK, NY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DKK, Dunkirk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 6 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFD, 40 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 19830824048769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830824048769A), Aug 24, 1983: Gulstm AA1, Dunkirk, NY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final. Crash landed in a field short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N5686L (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI71FBD49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBD49), Jan 9, 1971: Yankee AA1 (N5686L), Crystal Lake, IL, substantial damage

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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