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NTSB Report
May 30, 1988 · Grumman AA-1B · N9981L
Dover, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dover, PA
Aircraft
Grumman AA-1B
Tail Number
N9981L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88LA148
THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER THE ACFT HAD BECOME AIRBORNE & WAS ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 50 FT FROM THE DEP END OF THE RWY & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DRG THE OCCURRENCE, THE TAIL OF THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SIGN NEAR THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE THE DEP END & EXTENDED 8 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN HIT A STONE FENCE & A TREE BEFORE COMING TO REST. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENG WAS FOUND. DRG AN OPNL CHECK, THE ENG RAN NORMALLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT OBSTRUCTIONS NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY (SIGN, STONE FENCE & TREE).
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER THE ACFT HAD BECOME AIRBORNE & WAS ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 50 FT FROM THE DEP END OF THE RWY & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DRG THE OCCURRENCE, THE TAIL OF THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SIGN NEAR THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE THE DEP END & EXTENDED 8 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN HIT A STONE FENCE & A TREE BEFORE COMING TO REST. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENG WAS FOUND. DRG AN OPNL CHECK, THE ENG RAN NORMALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLazy B Ranch (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman AA-1B
Tail NumberN9981L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO