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June 30, 1985 · American AA-1A · N6393L
Hatteras, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Hatteras, NC
Aircraft
American AA-1A
Tail Number
N6393L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL85LA200
WHILE ON A FLT TO HATTERAS, NC, THE ENG RAN ROUGH, SO AFTER LANDING, THE PLT GOT AN AUTO MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS. THE LOWER PLUGS ON THE LEFT SIDE WERE LEAD FOWLED & WERE CLEANED WITH A WIRE BRUSH. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE NEXT FLT, THE ENG LOST PARTIAL POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. THE PLT WANTED TO LAND ON A BEACH STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT THERE WAS A RAIN SHOWER & REDUCED VISIBILILITY IN THAT DIRECTION. THEREFORE, HE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 200 FT. WHILE MANEUVERING FOR ALIGNMENT WITH THE RWY, HE MADE A STEEP TURN & LOST ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASH LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED LEAD BUILD-UPS ON THE SPARK PLUGS & LOW COMPRESSION IN THE #1 & #4 CYLINDERS. WHILE AT HATTERAS, THE ACFT HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT IT DID NOT HAVE AN STC FOR AUTO GASOLINE.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A FLT TO HATTERAS, NC, THE ENG RAN ROUGH, SO AFTER LANDING, THE PLT GOT AN AUTO MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS. THE LOWER PLUGS ON THE LEFT SIDE WERE LEAD FOWLED & WERE CLEANED WITH A WIRE BRUSH. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE NEXT FLT, THE ENG LOST PARTIAL POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. THE PLT WANTED TO LAND ON A BEACH STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT THERE WAS A RAIN SHOWER & REDUCED VISIBILILITY IN THAT DIRECTION. THEREFORE, HE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 200 FT. WHILE MANEUVERING FOR ALIGNMENT WITH THE RWY, HE MADE A STEEP TURN & LOST ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASH LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED LEAD BUILD-UPS ON THE SPARK PLUGS & LOW COMPRESSION IN THE #1 & #4 CYLINDERS. WHILE AT HATTERAS, THE ACFT HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT IT DID NOT HAVE AN STC FOR AUTO GASOLINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:03 EDT
Nearest AirportBilly Mitchell (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width76 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAmerican AA-1A
Tail NumberN6393L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 14 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:07
Weather SourceWFAC