On March 8, 1984, an American Aviation Corp. (aac) AA-1 (registration N5649L) was involved in an aviation accident near Scriba, NY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After a four-day search, an aircraft was found in a gravel pit eight miles from its departure point. Wreckage examination showed a vertical descent with nil forward speed and no engine power at impact. The pilot was using automotive fuel in extreme cold.
Discovery and Location
Following a four-day search, the aircraft was located in a gravel pit situated eight miles from its point of departure. The gravel pit was the only open area within the surrounding wooded terrain.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft had collided with terrain while in a vertical descent with no forward speed. Investigation of the power plant indicated no evidence of torque or power being delivered to the propeller at the moment of impact.
Fuel and Environmental Conditions
The pilot was using automotive fuel in conjunction with an unmodified carburetor. This occurred in an extreme low-temperature environment, conditions that are conducive to an extreme over-rich mixture situation.
Terrain Context
The gravel pit, where the aircraft came to rest, was the only open spot in an otherwise wooded area.