# NTSB NYC89LA217: Grumman AA-1C, N9825U, Philadelphia, PA, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Coordinates: 40.099998, -74.980361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1000&lon=-74.9804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA217

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO A TANK WITH ADEQUATE FUEL FOR LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE AFTER THE TANK EMPTIED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT REQUESTED A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON RUNWAY 24, WHICH WAS APPROVED.  WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF SEQUENCE, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE STUDENT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT TOWARD AN AREA BEYOND TREES WEST OF THE AIRPORT, WHERE THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A CRASH LANDING.  AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY TANK; SEVERAL GALLONS OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE OPPOSITE TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9825U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9825U-1997-07-24), registration cancelled 1997-07-24, S/N AA1C0136 (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: AA1CO136
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hortman Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PNE, Northeast Philadelphia, runway 24, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890928037069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928037069A), Sep 28, 1989: Gulstm AA1C, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. Requested touch and go. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed. Fuel selector on empty tank. Fuel in other tank.

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.