NTSB Factual Report

On March 7, 2001, at 1315 central standard time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N9886U, operated by a private pilot sustained substantial damage when the airplane's engine lost power and the airplane subsequently impacted into a field during a forced landing near Dekalb, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane reported minor injuries. The local flight originated at Sugar Grove, Illinois, at 1230.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he was maneuvering the airplane for sightseeing at an altitude between 1,000 feet and 2,000 feet above the ground. The pilot said, "[The] Aircraft lost power at about 1,000 feet while executing [a] descending left turn with insufficient altitude for re-start. [The] Emergency situation required [a] downwind forced landing in [a] corn stubble field in [a] northeast direction ..."

The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he was in cruise flight at approximately 1310 when the airplane's engine started running rough and then quit. The pilot said he immediately looked for a place to land. When asked by the inspector if he tried to switch the airplane’s fuel selector to the other fuel tank, the pilot said no.

The FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane rested upright in a corn field, 4 miles east of Dekalb, Illinois. The airplane wreckage was preceded by skid marks in the ground that ran eastward along a 075-080 degree heading for approximately 120 yards. The airplane's cowling, engine, and engine mounts were broken downward. The nose gear was broken aft. The lower firewall was bend aft and upward. The propeller and spinner were broken off at the flange. Both propeller blades were bent torsionally and aft. The spinner was crushed aft around the propeller hub. Portions of the canopy were broken out. The leading edges of both wings were bent upward and aft and crushed rearward. An examination of the airplane's cockpit showed the fuel selector positioned to the left fuel tank. The airplane's left wing fuel tank showed no evidence of fuel. An examination of the right wing fuel tank showed fuel present. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

The inspector estimated the surface winds at the accident site to be 240 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots.

On arrival at the accident site, Dekalb County Illinois Sheriff deputies conducted a field blood alcohol test on the pilot. The results of the test showed the pilot having a blood alcohol level of 0.077. Later that afternoon, a second blood alcohol test was conducted on the pilot at the Dekalb County Sheriff Department, Sycamore, Illinois. The results of that test showed the pilot having a blood alcohol level of 0.08.

Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR Part 91, paragraph 91.17 (a), states that no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft -

(1) Within 8 hours after consumption of any alcoholic beverage;

(2) While under the influence of alcohol;

(4) While having 0.04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel starvation, the pilot not switching the fuel selector to the other fuel tank, and the pilot not maintaining control of the airplane through the forced landing attempt. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's inadequate fuel management, the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions, the pilot's impairment(alcohol), the rough/uneven terrain, the strong tailwind and the gusts.