Casualties unknown

1997-05-10: American AA-1 (N5734L) — Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg, WV, US

On May 10, 1997, an American AA-1 (registration N5734L) was involved in an aviation accident near Lewisburg, WV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight, which led to the loss of a fuel cap and subsequent fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

Pilot switched stopover due to weather, found right tank half full then empty. Declared fuel critical, engine lost power repeatedly. Forced landing caused gear collapse and slide. No useable fuel; right fuel cap missing.

Accident Overview

The pilot was en route to his destination with a planned stopover airport. Due to weather, he switched his stopover airport and obtained the local weather. At that time, the pilot checked the right fuel tank and found it half full. Minutes later, the right fuel tank sight gauge indicated empty. Not sure how much fuel was onboard, the pilot radioed Air Traffic Control and stated that he was fuel critical.

Engine Power Loss

Shortly afterwards, the engine lost power. The pilot switched to the left tank. After a brief period, the engine lost power once again, and the pilot switched back to the right fuel tank. The engine produced power for a short period, and then lost power once more. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot executed a forced landing to a small pasture.

Forced Landing and Damage

The left main and nose gears collapsed on impact, and the airplane slid through a wooden post supporting a metal wire fence, coming to rest upright on the reciprocal heading.

Post-Accident Inspection

Inspection of the engine found no anomalies. No useable fuel was found onboard. The right fuel tank cap was missing and was not found in the impact area.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07937. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.