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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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August 24, 1983 · American AA-1 · N5686L

Dunkirk, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dunkirk, NY
Aircraft
American AA-1
Tail Number
N5686L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC83LA223

AT APRX 0955 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM SCHENECTADY, NY WITH 24 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. ABOUT 2 1/2 HRS LATER, WHILE ON A DOWNWIND TO LAND AT DUNKIRK, NY, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT & THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS SHUT OFF & A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR, LOWER COWL & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CHECK THE FUEL TANKS WHILE AT ALTITUDE & SWITCHED THE SELECTOR TO THE FULLEST TANK.

Full Narrative

AT APRX 0955 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM SCHENECTADY, NY WITH 24 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. ABOUT 2 1/2 HRS LATER, WHILE ON A DOWNWIND TO LAND AT DUNKIRK, NY, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT & THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS SHUT OFF & A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR, LOWER COWL & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CHECK THE FUEL TANKS WHILE AT ALTITUDE & SWITCHED THE SELECTOR TO THE FULLEST TANK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 EDT
Nearest AirportDUNKIRK (3nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican AA-1
Tail NumberN5686L
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 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data