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| Date: | Monday 2 May 2022 |
| Time: | 18:53 |
| Type: |  Grumman American AA-1C Lynx |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N15LM |
| MSN: | AA1C-0116 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4260 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Seneca, SC -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Eagle Ridge Airport, SC (SC24) |
| Cornelia-Habersham County Airport, GA (KAJR) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On May 2, 2022, at 1853 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N15LM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Seneca, South Carolina. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot had picked up the airplane from a maintenance provider after an annual inspection was completed the previous day. Prior to takeoff, the pilot performed an engine run-up with no anomalies noted, and the engine ran smoothly.
Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 250 ft above ground level, the engine lost power and the airplane descended under control into trees. The engine did not “sputter” and the mixture control was set to full rich. The airplane impacted a wooded residential area about ¼ mile from the departure end of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
The pilot recalled that the fuel selector was in the LEFT position for the flight. He stated that on previous flights he sometimes had to “fiddle” with the fuel selector when moving it to the LEFT position to ensure that it was in the detent. During the first postaccident examination of the fuel selector, the detent could not be felt and the associated “click” sound could not be heard when moving the selector from the OFF position to the LEFT position. It could be heard and felt when moving from the RIGHT to LEFT position. A lack of feel or click sound of the detent does not necessarily indicate that the fuel valve is not in the proper position, but it is the only means for the pilot to confirm the proper position.
A subsequent examination by a mechanic was arranged by the pilot/owner. The mechanic reported that the detent click sound could be heard as the fuel selector was moved to all positions, and fuel flowed through the valve when it was in the detents for the LEFT and RIGHT positions. The exact position of the selector at the time of the accident could not be confirmed, as it was moved to the OFF position after the accident. However, given the pilot’s familiarity with the operation of the fuel selector, it is likely that the fuel selector was correctly positioned in the LEFT detent.
The mechanic reported that the engine air filter element was found out of place, wedged between the carburetor heat valve/door and the top of the carburetor heat box. In that position, it prevented the carburetor heat control from moving to the ON position, and likely restricted or obstructed the air path to the carburetor. Given that the engine performed normally during the before takeoff run-up, takeoff roll, and initial climb, it was likely not in that position at those times. Additionally, it is unlikely to have been in that position during the engine-run up, as it would have prevented the application of carburetor heat, which should have been performed as part of the run-up procedure. Thus, it is likely that the air filter element was dislodged from its proper position sometime after takeoff.
Probable Cause: A dislodged air filter element, which restricted airflow to the carburetor resulting in a loss of engine power.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.wyff4.com/article/1-injured-in-plane-crash-in-oconee-county-officials-say/39883651
https://wsnwradio.com/pilot-injured-in-plane-crash-near-seneca/
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105036
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=15LM
https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/4/14627_1380970538.jpg (photo)
Location
Images:
Photo: FAA
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-May-2022 12:50 | gerard57 | Added |
| 03-May-2022 13:50 | johnwg | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Location, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 03-May-2022 15:01 | RobertMB | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Cn, Location, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 04-May-2022 18:14 | Captain Adam | Updated [Location, Narrative, ] |
| 07-Jun-2022 22:23 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Phase, Departure airport, Damage, Narrative, Category, ] |
| 22-Jun-2024 22:38 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report, Photo, ] |
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