UNION HALL, VA, USA
N9755U
GRUMMAN AA-1C
THE PILOT WAS AT CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. HE TRIED TO ANALYZE HIS PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS. HE THEN EXPERIENCED A FURTHER POWER LOSS AND ELECTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY AIRPORT. THE ENGINE COULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTIAN ALTITUDE SO THE PILOT FOUND IT NECESSARY TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION WHICH TORE AWAY THE LEFT AND NOSE LANDING GEAR.
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BROUGHT ON BY A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE CLYINDER EXHAUST VALVE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A HIDDEN OBJECT ON THE EMERGENCY LANDING FIELD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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