# NTSB NYC98LA159: Grumman American AA-1A, N9415L, Point Of Woods, NY, July 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1998, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Point Of Woods, NY - Coordinates: 40.720615, -73.249496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7206&lon=-73.2495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43703/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA159 ## Probable cause Improper maintenance which resulted in the installation of an incorrect venturi and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot was demonstrating an engine failure and forced landing to his passenger. At 800 feet above ground level, the pilot applied power to recover and the engine responded by running extremely rough with popping and coughing noises accompanied by vibration. Application of carburetor heat and use of the fuel boost pump aggravated the situation. With smoke entering the cabin, the pilot performed a forced landing to a beach, where the airplane nosed over during touchdown. Examination of the wreckage revealed fire damage in the area of the carburetor air intake box. The airplane's fuel lines were intact and no evidence of fuel leaks were observed. Disassembly of the carburetor revealed an incorrect venturi, part number 46-F12, was installed in the carburetor. The correct venturi part number was 46-F11. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed a two piece venturi was removed from the carburetor and a one piece venturi was installed about 50 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1998, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1A, N9415L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after it experienced an in-flight fire and loss of engine power near Point of Woods, Fire Island, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot and a passenger sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Long Island Mac Arthur Airport, Islip, New York, destined for Republic Airport, Farmingdale, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was flying parallel to the beach at 1,300 feet when he decided to demonstrate an engine failure and forced landing approach for the passenger. The pilot further stated: "...Upon termination of the demonstration [at 800 feet], I applied power to recover and the engine responded by running extremely rough with popping and coughing noises accompanied by an extreme vibration. I reduced power, checked the security of the primer system, the mixture rich, [I applied] carburetor heat on with adverse results. At this time smoke started entering the cabin, so I opened the canopy. I turned the fuel boost pump on and smoke intensity increased 10 fold. I secured the fuel boost pump and closed both cabin vents. However, smoke continued to fill the cabin...." The pilot performed a forced landing to the beach and during the touchdown, the airplane nosed over. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed fire damage in the area of the carburetor air intake box. The airplane's fuel lines were intact and no evidence of fuel leaks were observed. The carburetor was removed from the airplane and forwarded to its manufacturer, where it was disassembled and examined under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. The examination revealed an incorrect venturi, part number 46-F12, was installed in the accident carburetor. According to the carburetor manufacturer, the correct venturi part number was 46-F11. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed a two piece venturi was removed from the carburetor and a one piece venturi was installed about 50 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9415L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9415L-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N AA1A-0215, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-1A - Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (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: AA1A-0215 - Engines: Lycoming AA-1A 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael J. Bonventre - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 20, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: ISP, ISLIP, NY - Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,106 total, 40 in this make and model, 8,275 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISP, 4 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 19980731019329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980731019329A), Jul 31, 1998: Amrgen AA1A, Pointofwoods, NY, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 31, 1998, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1A, N9415L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after it… ## Other investigations on N9415L (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 NYC83LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA009), Oct 10, 1982: American AA-1A (N9415L), Jamestown, NY, 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.