Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA1B accident near Lititz, Pennsylvania, July 19, 2015
On July 19, 2015 at about 1:25 am local time, a 1974 Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA1B, registered N8969L, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Lititz, Pennsylvania (Lancaster airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2015 · about 1:25 am local time
- Place
- Lititz, Pennsylvania · Lancaster · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA1B, built 1974 · all AA1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8969L · no longer on the register · serial AA1B-0419
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that he and a student pilot were performing touch-and-go landings in the airport traffic pattern at night; the instructor was flying the airplane. While on the downwind leg for the third and final landing, he reduced the engine power and the engine subsequently experienced a partial loss of power. The instructor switched the fuel tank selector and attempted to restore power, but was unsuccessful. He then performed a forced landing to a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over. The instructor's statement did not address whether he used carburetor heat during the accident flight, and the carburetor heat control was found in the full-forward (off) position. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine. The spark plugs were light gray in color and exhibited normal wear. The fuel quantity onboard the airplane at the time of the accident could not be determined. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 (partial) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 322 hours in all; 2 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 22, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,011 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2015; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,561 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 3,011 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LNS Lititz PA
- Destination: LNS Lititz PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,102 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 050° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from LNS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.