American AA-1 accident near Truckee, California, May 23, 2013
On May 23, 2013 at about 7:10 pm local time, a American AA-1, registered N5909L, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe Airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture during takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 2013 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American AA-1 · all AA-1s on the register
- Registration
- N5909L · no longer on the register · serial AA1-0209
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,027.5 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,891.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 2012
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 3,389 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TRK Truckee CA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: LOL Lovelock NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from TRK, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 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.
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 WPR13LA251.