# NTSB NYC98LA144: American AA-1A, N9418L, Madison, CT, July 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1998, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Madison, CT - Location: 41.2795° N, 72.5984° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Madison, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2795&lon=-72.5984&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43209/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA144 ## Probable cause Was the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing. A factor was the winds which were variable and gusty. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot landing on runway 6, with the wind from 360, at approximately 15 knots. Just as the airplane touched down, the wind shifted around to 240 degrees with the same velocity. The airplane was observed to bounce multiple times and the pilot added power to abort the landing. As the airplane became airborne, the right wing was low and the airplane turned right. It then struck trees and descended on its right side into a swamp. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 1998, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an American AA-1A, N9418L, was destroyed during an aborted landing at the Griswold Airport, Madison, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 1300. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he landed on runway 6 behind two preceding airplanes. Just as he was about to land on the runway, the wind changed to a tail wind and pushed him down on the runway which caused the airplane to bounce. He then added power to do a go-around. According to witnesses, the wind had been from 360 degrees, with a velocity of about 15 knots. Just as N9418L touched down, the wind shifted from 360 degrees, to 240 degrees, with about the same velocity. The airplane was observed to bounce as it touched down, and then an increase of power from the engine was heard. The airplane drifted off the runway to the right and struck some trees, after which it came to rest inverted in a swampy area. According to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), runway 6 was 1,863 feet long, 50 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9418L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9418L-2000-03-21), registration cancelled 2000-03-21, S/N AA1A-0218 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American AA-1A - Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1A-0218 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ernest Costa - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1997 - Departed: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT - Destination: N04 - Airport: N04, Griswold, runway 6, 1,863 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 30 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HVN, 15 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 19980718028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980718028429A), Jul 18, 1998: Gulstm AA1A, Madison, CT, Destroyed. (.4) On July 18, 1998, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an American AA-1A, N9418L, was destroyed during an aborted landing at the Griswold Airport, Madison,… 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.