Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1B near River Falls, WI — 2022-06-01

Final reportCEN22LA220
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Date
2022-06-01
Location
River Falls, WI, USA
Airport
6WI2
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1B
Registration
N6298L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The student pilot’s and flight instructor’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot reported problems with the airplane’s engine shortly after takeoff. The flight instructor stated that the engine “quit abruptly” and “seized,” and the student pilot stated that the engine “locked up” and lost total power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and made a forced landing in a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no fuel remaining in the wing tanks and no evidence of a fuel spill. The fuel system was not compromised. According to the accident report submitted by the flight instructor they departed with 8 gallons of fuel and were flying for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Postaccident examination revealed that the engine rotated freely, and compression was verified on all cylinders. Both magnetos produced spark when rotated. Thus, the engine likely lost power due to fuel exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Ensure adequate fuel before takeoff to prevent engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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