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NTSB Report
October 29, 1989 · Grumman AA-1A · N9330L
Borrego Springs, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Borrego Springs, CA
Aircraft
Grumman AA-1A
Tail Number
N9330L
Operator
John L Lee
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA015
THE 23-YEAR-OLD RECENTLY CERTIFIED PRIVATE PILOT PURCHASED AN 18-YEAR-OLD FLYING CLUB AIRPLANE. THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR A TOTAL OF 2093 HOURS. NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF THE ENGINE HAVING BEEN OVERHAULED. DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S LIFE, IT HAD BEEN INACTIVE FOR TWO PERIODS TOTALING 8 YEARS. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE DESERT, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, WHICH HAD A TBO OF 2400 HOURS IF KEPT IN CONTINOUS SERVICE, REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 EXHAUST VALVE HEAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEM WHICH WAS NECKED DOWN AT THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE'S THREE OTHER EXHAUST VALVE STEMS WERE ALSO FOUND NECKED DOWN IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE.
Full Narrative
THE 23-YEAR-OLD RECENTLY CERTIFIED PRIVATE PILOT PURCHASED AN 18-YEAR-OLD FLYING CLUB AIRPLANE. THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR A TOTAL OF 2093 HOURS. NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF THE ENGINE HAVING BEEN OVERHAULED. DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S LIFE, IT HAD BEEN INACTIVE FOR TWO PERIODS TOTALING 8 YEARS. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE DESERT, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, WHICH HAD A TBO OF 2400 HOURS IF KEPT IN CONTINOUS SERVICE, REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 EXHAUST VALVE HEAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEM WHICH WAS NECKED DOWN AT THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE'S THREE OTHER EXHAUST VALVE STEMS WERE ALSO FOUND NECKED DOWN IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman AA-1A
Tail NumberN9330L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn L Lee
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO