On May 2, 1991, a Grumman AA-1B (registration N1412R) operated by Paul E. Kacak was involved in an aviation accident near Douglas, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN INADVERTENT STALL WITH INADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS INCLUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ALTITUDE WHERE REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Grumman AA-1B was observed at low level in mountainous terrain entering a stall before impacting trees. The private pilot in the left seat stated the flight instructor in the right seat was flying.
Accident Overview
A Grumman AA-1B aircraft was observed by another aircraft while flying at low level. The aircraft entered mountainous terrain. The witness, who observed the aircraft from another aircraft, reported that the Grumman AA-1B was at very low altitude and in a nose-high attitude. Subsequently, the witness observed the aircraft in what he described as a stall. The stall occurred immediately before the aircraft impacted trees and terrain.
Witness Account
According to the witness, the aircraft was flying at a low level when it entered mountainous terrain. The witness noted the aircraft's very low altitude and nose-high attitude. He then observed the aircraft in a stall condition. The impact with trees and terrain followed directly after the stall.
Pilot Information
The private pilot in the left seat of the Grumman AA-1B stated that the flight instructor in the right seat was flying the aircraft at the time of the accident. No further information about the pilots or their qualifications was provided.