# NTSB NYC84FA107: American AA-1, N5649L, Scriba, NY, March 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1984, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Scriba, NY
- Coordinates: 43.310249, -76.40937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3102&lon=-76.4094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA107

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, unknown
  - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS LOCATED, AFTER A 4 DAY SEARCH, IN A GRAVEL PIT 8 MILES FROM POINT OF DEPARTURE. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN VERTICAL DESCENT WITH NIL FORWARD SPEED. INVESTIGATION OF POWER PLANT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF TORQUE OR POWER BEING DELIVERED TO THE PROP AT IMPACT. PLT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WITH UNMODIFIED CARBURETOR IN EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENT, CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO AN EXTREME OVER RICH MIXTURE SITUATION. GRAVEL PIT WAS ONLY OPEN SPOT IN WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5649L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5649L-1991-03-20), registration cancelled 1991-03-20, S/N AA10049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Steiner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1983, 16 hours before
- Departed: NOO, FULTON, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SYR, 25 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 19840308006569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840308006569A), Mar 8, 1984: Gulstm AA1, Scriba, NY, Destroyed. Crashed in wooded area. Aircraft had incorrect carburetor and auto gas. Proble carburetor icing. Low time student.

## Other investigations on N5649L (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 NYC70D0170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0170), Sep 12, 1969: Amer Avco AA-1 (N5649L), Danbury, CT, 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.

---
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.