1993-09-04: American AA-1 (N5765L) — Curenton, Rufus B. — Tuscaloosa, AL
On September 4, 1993, an American AA-1 (registration N5765L) operated by Curenton, Rufus B. was involved in an aviation accident near Tuscaloosa, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FOULED SPARK PLUGS ON THE NUMBER 2 AND 3 CYLINDERS, AND A LACK OF COMPRESSION ON THE NUMBER 1 AND 4 CYLINDERS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Probable cause
FOULED SPARK PLUGS ON THE NUMBER 2 AND 3 CYLINDERS, AND A LACK OF COMPRESSION ON THE NUMBER 1 AND 4 CYLINDERS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DECAY DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT TO A NEARBY FIELD. HE FORCE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN HIGH GRASS, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRFRAME RECEIVED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 2 AND 3 CYLINDER SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED, AND WOULD NOT PRODUCE A SPARK. A COMPRESSION CHECK SHOWED NO COMPRESSION ON THE NUMBERS 1 AND 4 CYLINDERS.