Grumman AA-1C N9514U
23 May 1994 · Torrance, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 23 May 1994 at about 00:59 local time, a Grumman AA-1C registered N9514U, operated by James S. Thompson, was involved in an accident near Torrance, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:59
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Torrance, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Zamperini Field (TOA)
- Coordinates
- 33.8006, -118.3507
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA-1C
- Registration
- N9514U
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- James S. Thompson
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- King City → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX94LA223
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
a fatigue failure of the carburetor fuel inlet fitting. A fuel flow system modification and an inadequate annual inspection were factors in the accident.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
AFTER COMPLETION OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT TAXIED OFF THE ACTIVE RUNWAY AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIRPLANE AND NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET FITTING WAS BROKEN. THE CARBURETOR FUEL LINE WAS CONNECTED TO A 4-INCH-LONG FUEL FLOW TRANSDUCER THAT WAS THEN CONNECTED TO THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET FITTING. A METALLURGIST REPORTED THAT THE FITTING APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN DUE TO FATIGUE. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS DO NOT INCLUDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF THE FUEL FLOW SYSTEM INSTALLATION. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 4.8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Grumman AA-1C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 1993 | Grumman AA-1C | Santa Paula, California, United States | Aero-Flite | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Jun 1991 | Grumman AA-1C | Union Hall, Virginia, United States | Christopher P. Nelson | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1991 | Grumman AA-1C | Lantana, Florida, United States | Gluck, Brion | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1989 | Grumman AA-1C | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Hortman Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1989 | Grumman AA-1C | Madison, Indiana, United States | HFG, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1985 | Grumman AA-1C | Farmingdale, New York, United States | Tripple Three Aviation | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Fort Bragg, California, United States | Sundance Flying Club | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1994 | Schweizer G-164B | Yuba City, California, United States | Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Sep 1994 | Cessna T210L | Kettleman City, California, United States | Willie Alves Rodrigues | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 1994 | Maule M-5-235C | Columbia, California, United States | White, James L. | No injuries | - |
| 19 May 1994 | Cessna 150L | Rio Linda, California, United States | Hinckley, Thomas, F. | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |