Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

November 14, 1993 · Grumman American AA-1B · N9896L

Arcadia, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 14, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Arcadia, WI
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-1B
Tail Number
N9896L
Operator
Rapaich Daniel P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA037

THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2000 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, CHANGED FUEL TANKS, AND TRIED LEFT AND THEN RIGHT MAGNETOS) TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY JUST AS THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY ON RADIO FREQUENCY 121.5 MHZ. THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A NIGHT FORCED LANDING WHEN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN A GROUP OF 50 FOOT OAK TREES. ENGINE CONTINUITY, COMPRESSION, IGNITION, INDUCTION AND FUEL SYSTEMS WERE FIELD TESTED. NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ALL COVERED WITH BLACK SOOTY DEPOSITS. A CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART OBTAINED FROM A DOT/FAA/CT-82/44 PUBLICATION PREDICTS SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER WITH THE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT (TEMPERATURE 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, DEW POINT OF 38 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT).

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason(s).

Full Narrative

On November 14, 1993, about 0150 hours central standard time, a Grumman AA-1B, N9896L, operated by the private pilot/registered owner, made a forced landing in treetops near Arcadia, Wisconsin, after a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received serious injuries. The passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Eau Claire, Wisconsin approximately 0110 hours. The intended destination was LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The pilot stated that approximately 20 minutes after departure, the airplane was in cruise flight at 2000 feet and the engine began to run rough and lose power. The pilot reported he applied carburetor heat, changed fuel tanks, and tried left and then right magnetos in an attempt to regain engine power. The engine continued to lose power, and the pilot declared an emergency on radio frequency 121.5 MHz. The radio transmission was received by Green Bay Air Traffic Control Tower at 0147 CST. The pilot stated the engine then lost total power. The pilot stated he "...left carb heat on...set up the glide at 80 miles per hour... ." With the landing light on, the pilot still was unable to see the ground, and had just spotted a clearing to use for landing when the airplane impacted and became entangled in a group of fifty foot oak trees. The aircraft was located by a passing motorist approximately 0830 CST, and the pilot and passenger were removed from the aircraft at approximately 1000 CST. The propeller was found on the ground, and had broken off at its attach bolts. Both prop blades were bent backwards. Engine continuity, compression, ignition, induction and fuel systems were tested. The spark plugs were all covered with black soot. The carburetor was disassembled and found to be full of clean fuel. There was no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. A carburetor icing probability chart obtained from DOT/FAA/CT- 82/44 Publication: Light Aircraft Piston Engine Carburetor Ice Detector, predicts serious icing at cruise power for a condition of 40 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 38 degrees Fahrenheit, the same as the morning of the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:50 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman American AA-1B
Tail NumberN9896L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRapaich Daniel P
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data