# NTSB SEA91LA079: Grumman American AA-1C, N9651U, Wenatchee, WA, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 07:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370716, -120.34906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3707&lon=-120.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA079

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE, THE ENGINE LOST PATRIAL POWER AND THE RPM DROPPED. THE PILOT WENT THROUGH THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WITHOUT SUCCESS IN REGAINING FULL POWER. AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO LANDING WAS INITIATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING NEAR THE RANGE OF SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE, CLIMB, OR GLIDE POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9651U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9651U-1993-07-30), registration cancelled 1993-07-30, S/N AA1C0088 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1C-0088
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Q. Baxter
- Registered owner: James Q. Baxter
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 401 total, 257 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 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 19910406009009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406009009A), Apr 6, 1991: Gulstm AA1C, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed. Attempted to land in snow field, hit tree and then flipped.

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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