Grumman American AA-1B N6505L

Summary

On 20 August 1996 at about 19:10 local time, a Grumman American AA-1B registered N6505L was involved in an accident near Boulder, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 August 1996 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Boulder, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.0399, -105.3694

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-1B

Registration

N6505L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96FA352

2 people died.

The pilot's poor judgment in attempting low altitude flight in mountainous terrain without adequate mountain flying training which led to low altitude maneuvering exceeding the climb capability of the airplane. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, lack of experience in flying in mountainous terrain, lack of familiarity with the geographic area, and the mountainous and canyon-featured terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Numerous witnesses at about 7,000 feet elevation observed the airplane flying at low altitude in mountainous terrain. The airplane struck power lines and trees while attempting to climb through a steep narrow canyon. The pilot possessed a student pilot certificate and was carrying his son as a passenger. He had recently moved to Colorado from Long Island, New York. The pilot's flight instructor, who had ferried the airplane from Long Island to Colorado, cautioned him that his airplane 'was not good for Colorado' because it was underpowered. The instructor also 'strongly encouraged' the pilot to get a mountain checkout. A low level of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (active metabolite of marijuana) was detected in the pilot's blood. The same substance was detected in the passenger's urine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.