N8972L

On July 26, 1994, at 2005 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-1B, N8972L, operated by Paradise Aviation, Inc., experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 25 at the Corona Municipal (uncontrolled) Airport, Corona, California. The commercial pilot reported that he was unable to accelerate beyond the best angle of climb airspeed. After climbing to about 250 feet above the runway, the pilot entered a shallow bank turn to avoid colliding with trees. At the completion of the turn, the pilot attempted to reverse course and land on runway 07. Approaching the runway, the airplane descended into an open field and was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The airplane was recovered from the accident site and was examined under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board. No blockages were noted in the engine's induction system. The engine was test run. According to the mechanic who performed the test for the Safety Board, it ran extremely rough until the mixture control was pulled all the way out to idle cut off, at which time the engine smoothed out. The carburetor was visually inspected and no abnormalities were found. The throttle and mixture control linkages were reported to be correctly installed.