On October 19, 1982, a Grumman American AA-1B (registration N9897L) operated by Vernon I. Hart was involved in an aviation accident near New River, AZ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft entered a steep descending turn from downwind to final, with increasing bank. Witness reported nose came up before losing sight. Impact was nose down with propeller damage; engine found normal.
Accident Sequence
After entering the traffic pattern, the aircraft was observed in a steep descending turn while maneuvering from downwind to final approach. A witness reported that the pilot kept increasing the bank angle during the turn to final, apparently to avoid overshooting the final approach course. The witness did not see the actual crash but stated that the nose of the aircraft came up just before the aircraft disappeared from view. The witness also noted that the engine sounded normal prior to the accident.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. Examination of the propeller revealed transverse scrape marks on the blades, and one blade was bent forward.
Engine Examination
A teardown inspection of the engine was performed, but no evidence of pre-impact failures was found.