American Aviation Corp. (Aac) AA-1A accident near Lakeland, Florida, April 7, 2007
On April 7, 2007 at about 5:03 pm local time, a American Aviation Corp. (Aac) AA-1A, registered N8FA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. It was a personal 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 pilot's inadequate preflight. Contributing to the pilot's injuries was his failure to wear the installed shoulder harness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2007 · about 5:03 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeland, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Aviation Corp. (Aac) AA-1A
- Registration
- N8FA · no longer on the register · serial AA1A-0335
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While returning to the departure airport, the engine rpm began decreasing and the cylinder head temperature (CHT) began increasing, along with a further decrease in engine rpm. While descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree then the ground. The pilot was wearing the installed seatbelt but was not wearing the installed shoulder harness, which resulted in a deep laceration to his chin requiring 40 sutures. A total of 37 ounces of oil were drained from the engine. There was no evidence of oil evacuation from the engine. Disassembly of the engine revealed internal engine damage consistent with inadequate oil supply. The engine oil, and a 100-Hour inspection were last performed in March 2006; the airplane had been operated for 2.7 hours since then at the time of the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 900 hours in all; 200 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,478.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2006; 2.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X49 Lakeland FL at 4:00 pm
- Destination: X49
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from KLAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.