American Aviation AA-1A accident near Amery, Wisconsin, May 30, 2026
On May 30, 2026 at about 4:13 pm local time, a 1972 American Aviation AA-1A, registered N6416L, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Amery, Wisconsin. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2026 · about 4:13 pm local time
- Place
- Amery, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Aviation AA-1A, built 1972 · all AA-1As on the register
- Registration
- N6416L · registry record · serial AA1A-0416
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 30, 2026, about 1113 central daylight time, a Grumman AA-1A airplane, N6416L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Amery, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The pilot reported that while en route on a positioning flight, he felt a sudden violent shaking of the airframe with a partial loss of engine power. He attempted to correct the power loss by applying carburetor heat, turning on the fuel pump, and switching fuel tanks; however, the shaking continued until the oil pressure decreased to zero followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot established a best glide attitude and attempted to reach the nearest airport, which was Amery Municipal Airport in Amery, Wisconsin. While en route, the pilot realized he would not make the runway and chose to conduct a forced off-field landing into an open field about two nautical miles from the runway. During the off-field landing, both main landing gear collapsed which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. During recovery of the airplane, the engine was observed to have a hole in the crankcase next to the No. 4 cylinder. The airplane was retained for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,573 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 19, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: LUM Menomonie WI at 3:53 pm
- Destination: BRD Brainerd MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from KOEO, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KOEO 301615Z AUTO 12015KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A3010 RMK AO2 T02410069
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN26LA208.