Amateur-built AA-1 accident near York, Pennsylvania, June 26, 2002
On June 26, 2002 at about 3:50 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-1, registered N5684L, was substantially damaged in an accident near York, Pennsylvania (York Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush into a corn field. A factor was the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2002 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- York, Pennsylvania · York Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-1
- Registration
- N5684L · registry record · serial AA1-0084
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to takeoff, the pilot owner reminded the private pilot of the high air temperature and density altitude. The private pilot initiated a takeoff from the 5,188-foot long asphalt runway; however, he climbed at an airspeed of 60 to 70 mph, rather than the normal climb speed of 85 to 90 mph. The airplane subsequently settled into a cornfield, and came to rest inverted. Both pilots reported that there were no problems with the airplane or engine. The winds were light and variable at 3 knots. The temperature was 86 F, and the density altitude was about 2,300 feet.
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: 655 hours in all; 224 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 581 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 23, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,990 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None (invalid medical for flight)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 29, 2001; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0235-C2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: THV York PA at 3:53 pm
- Destination: N71 Marietta PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,188 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from THV, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.