# NTSB NYC90FA179: Grumman AA-1B, N1429R, Springfield, NJ, July 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1990, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, NJ
- Location: 40.7061° N, 74.3130° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springfield, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7061&lon=-74.3130&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA179

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND THE INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE FROM WHICH RECOVERY WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A DAYLIGHT INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DO SLOW DESCENDING AND CLIMBING TURNS. DURING A TURN THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE ABRUPTLY GO INTO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SPIN INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1429R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1429R-1999-02-17), registration cancelled 1999-02-17, S/N AA1B-0529 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0529
- Airframe hours: 1925
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hortmont Aviation Services,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PNE, PHILADELPHIA,, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRI, 57 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 19900729028849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900729028849A), Jul 29, 1990: Gulstm AA1B, Springfield, NJ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Instructor and student flying at low altitude stalled and crashed into trees.

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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