American AA-1 N5909L

Summary

On 23 May 2013 at about 19:10 local time, a American AA-1 registered N5909L, operated by Silva Lawrence JR, was involved in an accident near Truckee, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 2013 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Truckee, California, United States

Nearest airport

Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK)

Coordinates

39.3294, -120.2395

Aircraft

American AA-1

Registration

N5909L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Silva Lawrence JR

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truckee → Lovelock

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA251

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture during takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a ferry flight for the airplane's owner. The pilot reported that, before takeoff, he leaned the fuel mixture for taxi but that, on takeoff, the mixture was full rich. During the initial climb, the engine lost power; the pilot stated that he did not remember anything after the loss of power occurred. The airplane subsequently collided with trees about 8 miles east of the airport, which is at an elevation of 5,901 ft and surrounded by mountainous terrain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airplane owner's manual, during takeoff or climb from high-altitude airports, the engine should be leaned to achieve maximum rpm; the calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was about 6,552 ft. The manual further stated that, at full throttle climb at altitudes above 5,000 ft, the fuel mixture should be leaned for smooth engine operation. The manual noted that a rough-running engine can result from an improper fuel/air mixture.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.