# NTSB NYC96LA079: Grumman American AA-1C, N9974U, Groton, NY, March 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1996, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Groton, NY - Coordinates: 42.579406, -76.359184 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5794&lon=-76.3592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA079 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate fuel management, and his improper use of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent collision with bails of hay during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - loose objects ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for his passenger/neighbor to photograph a farm located approximately 8 miles northwest of Cortland. During the final pass over the farm, about 1100 feet above ground level, there was a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed emergency procedures during which he turned the auxiliary fuel pump on, changed the fuel selector valve from the right tank to the left fuel tank, and used the primer. The engine momentarily started followed by another loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing in an open field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with bails of hay. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The left fuel tank was half full, and the right tank had residual fuel. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1996, about 1825 eastern standard time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N9974U, was substantially damaged when it collided with bails of hay, during a forced landing, near Groton, New York. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The personal flight departed Cortland, New York about 1800 for a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and there was no flight plan filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for his passenger/neighbor to photograph a farm located approximately 8 miles northwest of Cortland. During the final pass over the farm, about 1100 feet above ground level, there was a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed emergency procedures during which he turned the auxiliary fuel pump on, changed the fuel selector valve from right to the left fuel tank, and used the primer. The engine momentarily started followed by a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with bails of hay. The pilot also indicated in the form that there was a mechanical malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage on March 28. Post-accident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The left fuel tank was half full and the right tank had residual fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9974U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9974U-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N AA1C0170, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American 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 - Serial number: AA1C0170 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas E. Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1995 - Departed: N03, CORTLAND, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 60 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ITH, 8 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 19960327005299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960327005299A), Mar 27, 1996: Gulstm AA1C, Groton, NY, Substantial damage. Experienced engine failure and landed in a field. 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.