Event LAX97LA026

Factual narrative

On October 27, 1996, at 1049 hours Pacific standard time, a Grumman American Aviation AA1C, N9519U, collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach to Brown Field Municipal Airport, San Diego, California. The aircraft was destroyed, and the private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which originated at Brown Field at 1000. The pilot reported that he departed and flew most of the 1.2-hour flight with the right fuel tank selected. While on approach for landing he turned the electric fuel pump and carburetor heat on, and switched the fuel selector to the left tank which was 3/4 full. Approximately 5 minutes later, after completing the landing checklist, and while on 1.5 mile final to runway 26R at approximately 700 feet agl, the pilot noted that there was no power available from the engine when he advanced the throttle. He advised the tower of the engine failure and then verified that the mixture was rich and the magnetos were on. He intended to glide to the runway; however, the aircraft was descending rapidly and he realized that the aircraft was going to land short of the runway in an area of parked trucks. The pilot turned the aircraft to the right toward a north-south road; however, because of the rapid descent, the right wing contacted the ground during the turn and the nose hit the ground and the aircraft came to rest, inverted, in a field. The right wing separated from the aircraft at the wing root. Emergency personnel who responded to the accident scene reported there was no evident fuel smell at the site; however, the operator of the aircraft reported that the aircraft had been fueled to capacity the previous day, and according to the hour meter in the aircraft, had flown 2.0 hours since being fueled. The temperature was 68 degrees and the dew point 33 degrees Fahrenheit. A standard carburetor icing chart indicates that these conditions are conducive to light carburetor icing at glide or cruise power settings. The aircraft was examined by inspectors from the FAA Flight Standards District Office. At the time of their examination the fuel selector was found in the right tank position. Their report is attached. The pilot reported that he flew most of the 1.2-hour flight with the right fuel tank selected. While on approach for landing, he selected the left tank, which was 3/4 full. Approximately 5 minutes later, after completing the landing checklist, and while on 1.5 mile final approach at approximately 700 feet agl, he noted that there was no power available from the engine when he advanced the throttle. While maneuvering to an off-airport landing, first the right wing, and then the nose, contacted the ground, and the aircraft came to rest, inverted, in a field. Emergency personnel reported there was no evident fuel smell at the site; however, the operator of the aircraft reported that the aircraft had been fueled to capacity the previous day, and according to the hour meter in the aircraft, had flown only 2.0 hours, since being fueled. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12