Accident Overview
On June 1, 2022, at approximately 1215 central daylight time, a Grumman AA-1B airplane, registration N6298L, was substantially damaged during an accident near St. Croix Riviera Airport (6WI2) in River Falls, Wisconsin. The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, with a student pilot and a flight instructor on board.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor, during the accident flight, the student pilot and he had performed two takeoffs and landings. On the third takeoff, the engine “quit abruptly” at an altitude of about 150 ft. The instructor stated that the engine appeared to have “seized instantly.” The student pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the engine “locked up” and lost total power. At that moment, the flight instructor assumed control and executed a forced landing to a vacant field south of the airport, which was straight ahead of the departure runway. The airplane came to rest upright in the field.
Damage and Injuries
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left outboard wing panel. The student pilot sustained minor injuries, while the flight instructor sustained serious injuries.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane at the accident scene revealed no fuel in the wing fuel tanks. Subsequent examination determined that the fuel tanks were not breached and that other fuel system components showed no discrepancies. According to the flight instructor's accident report, the aircraft departed with 8 gallons of fuel and had been flying for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Further examination of the engine showed that it rotated freely, compression was verified on all cylinders, and both magnetos produced spark when rotated. No other anomalies were reported.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.