American Aviation AA-1A accident near Desert Center, CA
On August 26, 2013, an American Aviation AA-1A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Desert Center, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 26, 2013
- Place
- Desert Center, CA
- Aircraft
- American Aviation AA-1A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.380°N, 115.365°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130826X75643
Official records · WPR13FA388
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 26, 2013, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-1A, N61VT, collided with terrain near Desert Center, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The local aerial photography flight departed Desert Center Airport at an undetermined time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. There had recently been heavy rains and localized flooding in the area. The purpose of the flight was to assess any damage to a solar power facility. A Sheriff's Deputy observed the accident. He saw the airplane about 1,000 feet above the ground, and making erratic maneuvers. The airplane was traveling in a westerly direction, and made a sharp U-turn to the east. The deputy started discussing the maneuver with his passengers while observing the airplane's wings dip side-to-side, exposing the top and bottom of the airplane. The nose started to move down toward the ground, and then abruptly moved back up toward the sky while still proceeding in an easterly direction. The airplane started a second nosedive toward the ground, and turned counterclockwise exposing the top of the airplane before it crashed into the ground. Eleven witnesses were involved in work on a nearby fence line. Three of them reported observing the airplane make an abrupt turn from west to the east. Seven reported hearing the engine stop, pop, or s
Probable cause
The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and a loss of airplane control at low altitude.
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Browse: California · American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
