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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 19, 1995 · Grumman AA-1B · N1424R

Medina, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Medina, OH
Aircraft
Grumman AA-1B
Tail Number
N1424R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO95LA096

The pilot reported that he diverted from his intended destination because of radio problems. He stated that the airplane was in the airport traffic pattern when there was a loss of engine power. He performed a forced landing in a field of (tall) corn, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot rated passenger reported that when they were '...in the landing pattern the engine sputtered and quit because we ran out of fuel...switched to the second tank...the engine restarted for about 30 seconds...the engine again shut down because the second tank was also out of fuel.' Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. About one to two cups of fuel was drained from the wing fuel tanks, and approximately one ounce of fuel was drained from the carburetor bowl. The fuel tanks were intact, and no evidence of fuel leakage was found at the accident site.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. High vegetation (tall corn) in the emergency landing area was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 1995, at 0920 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Grumman AA-1B, N1424R, made a forced landing in a cornfield near Medina, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and the pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Centerburg, Ohio, at 0806 EDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The intended destination was Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) in Cleveland, Ohio. The pilot reported that he was en route to his destination when he contacted the BKL Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) to report his position, and state his intentions to land. He stated that the tower informed him that his radio transmissions were unclear. The pilot stated that he decided to divert, and land at Freedom Field, in Medina, Ohio, (approximately 25 miles south of his destination) to have the radios examined. He stated that when the airplane was in the airport traffic pattern in Medina, there was a loss of engine power. He stated that the engine power increased briefly when he switched fuel tanks, but when the airplane was on short final approach for the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he cleared power lines located on the approach to the runway by flying under the wires. He performed a forced landing in a cornfield, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot rated passenger stated that he accompanied the pilot on the accident flight to assist with the radios. He reported that they "...decided to land at Freedom Field to have the radios checked. In the landing pattern the engine sputtered and quit because we ran out of fuel...switched to the second tank and the engine restarted for about 30 seconds. The engine again shut down because the second tank was also out of fuel." Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that he drained about one ounce of fuel from the carburetor bowl, and approximately one to two cups of fuel from each of the wing fuel tanks. He stated that the fuel tanks were found intact and undamaged, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident. The FAA Inspector also stated that compression was confirmed in all four engine cylinders, and the magnetos appeared capable of normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AA-1B
Tail NumberN1424R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data