LANCASTER, NY, USA
N9457L
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1A
THE PILOT DEPARTED BUFFALO, NEW YORK (9G0) ABOUT 1900 EST, DESTINED FOR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (PIT). HE ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC DELAYS AT PIT AND DECIDED TO GO TO HIS ALTERNATE, LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA (LBE). THE PILOT MADE A MISSED APPROACH AT LBE DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, THEN DECIDED TO RETURN TO 9G0. DURING THE APPROACH TO 9G0, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER, SO THE PILOT DIVERTED TO THE LANCASTER AIRPORT (D77). ABOUT 2234 EST, BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY AT D77, TOTAL POWER WAS LOST AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.
On December 26, 1994 about 2234 eastern daylight time, N9457L, a Grumman American AA-1A airplane, a personal flight, lost engine power an was forced landed in an open field at Lancaster, New York. Visual meteorological conditions existed; an instrument flight plan was filed. The certificated commerical pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Buffalo, New York. The destination was Lancaster, New York. The pilot departed Buffalo Airfield (9G0) bound for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon reaching the Pittsburgh area, the pilot encountered traffic delays, so he decided to go to his alternate destination, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The pilot did a missed approach at Latrobe's Westmoreland County Airport because of weather conditions, so he headed back to Buffalo. During the approach to 9G0 the engine began losing power, so the pilot diverted the flight to nearby Lancaster County Airport (D77). However, total power loss occurred and the forced landing ensued in a field, about 100 feet short of D77. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were empty.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO RETURN TO THE HOME AIRPORT AFTER PROCEEDING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT AND MAKING A MISSED APPROACH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS (AT THE DESTINATION AND ALTERNATE AIRPORTS) AND DARKNESS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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