Flight Profile
The instructor, acting as pilot-in-command, and the student, who owned the aircraft, conducted a preflight fuel check. They believed the left fuel tank contained approximately 1/4 and the right tank 3/4 of capacity. The flight included airwork at high altitude followed by pattern work for touch-and-go landings.
Power Loss
During the initial climb after the first touch-and-go landing, at an altitude no more than 200 feet above ground, the engine abruptly ceased operation. The propeller was reported to stop rotating. The instructor assumed control, maneuvering the aircraft away from trees toward a potential landing site. Meanwhile, the student selected the right fuel tank and activated the fuel boost pump but did not engage the starter.
Forced Landing and Impact
The aircraft struck trees during the forced landing.
Post-Accident Examination
Fuel and aircraft log records indicated that under optimal conditions, assuming full tanks (22 gallons usable fuel on September 29, 2000), the aircraft had consumed a total of 35.6 gallons of usable fuel over 7.4 Hobbs hours from that date to the accident time, yielding an average burn rate of approximately 4.81 gallons per hour. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank at the time of power loss and was found on the right tank at the accident site. Post-accident inspection of the fuel system confirmed it was capable of delivering fuel to the carburetor. The engine was examined and no anomalies were found. The carburetor underwent a flow check and disassembly, revealing no discrepancies. Serious carburetor icing conditions were determined to exist at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Grumman AA-1B.