N1198D

On August 20, 1996, at 1235 central daylight time, an American AA5, N1198D, collided with the ground during an attempted emergency landing to a grass airstrip three miles east of Crestview, Florida. The instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a local flight plan filed through Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) flight operations. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the flight instructor received minor injuries, and the dual student received serious injuries. The flight departed Eglin AFB, Florida, at 1145.

According to an official from the Eglin AFB Aero Club, the dual student was receiving familiarization training in the AA5 when the accident occurred. The flight instructor stated that he had given the dual student a simulated engine out emergency. The dual student had completed the emergency procedure, and had initiated a climb from the low approach when the engine failed to develop power. A 1700 foot long airstrip was selected for the emergency landing. The airplane went off the departure end of the west runway, and collided with the ground.

During the post-accident examination of the airplane, the engine was functionally check. The engine started and operated normally without difficulty. No mechanical problems were noted during the wreckage examination. The review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The flight instructor initially reported that carburetor heat was used during the flight. But, during a subsequent conversation with a FAA inspector, he stated that the engine was not cleared for more than two minutes during the simulated engine out and emergency descent ( see attached FAA inspector's statement)