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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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November 27, 1983 · American AA-1A · N81YB

Wellsville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Wellsville, PA
Aircraft
American AA-1A
Tail Number
N81YB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA039

PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD BE FLYING FORAPRX 1/2 HR. APRX 25 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, GROUND WITNESSES NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT OBSERVED THE ACFT ON A WESTERLY HEADING, TURNING TOWARD THE ARPT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THEY SAW THE ACFT IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THEY DESCRIBED IT AS FLIPPING OR CORKSCREWING IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A PLT, WHO WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 1350 FT MSL, ALSO SAW THE ACFT SPINNING AT APRX HIS ALT. HE STATED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE RECOVERING, BUT WAS STILL OUT OF CONTROL, WHEN HE LOST SIGHT OF IT. ANOTHER PERSON IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1000 TO 1500 FT FROM THE IMPACT POINT HEARD THE ACFT BUT DID NOT SEE IT. HE SAID THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL UNTIL SECONDS BEFORE HE HEARD THE PLANE CRASH. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS WERE COMPRESSED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Full Narrative

PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD BE FLYING FORAPRX 1/2 HR. APRX 25 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, GROUND WITNESSES NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT OBSERVED THE ACFT ON A WESTERLY HEADING, TURNING TOWARD THE ARPT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THEY SAW THE ACFT IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THEY DESCRIBED IT AS FLIPPING OR CORKSCREWING IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A PLT, WHO WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 1350 FT MSL, ALSO SAW THE ACFT SPINNING AT APRX HIS ALT. HE STATED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE RECOVERING, BUT WAS STILL OUT OF CONTROL, WHEN HE LOST SIGHT OF IT. ANOTHER PERSON IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1000 TO 1500 FT FROM THE IMPACT POINT HEARD THE ACFT BUT DID NOT SEE IT. HE SAID THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL UNTIL SECONDS BEFORE HE HEARD THE PLANE CRASH. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS WERE COMPRESSED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EST
Nearest Airport2nm NE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican AA-1A
Tail NumberN81YB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data