20001026017159A

(-23) On October 26, 2000 about 1105 PDT, a Grumman American AA-5A was destroyed when it crashed off airport during a forced landing. The a/c had just taken off from hawthorne airport and was being piloted by pilot/owner and had reported to the air traffic control tower at hawthorne that he was experieincing engine trouble. Witnesses on the ground reported that the engine sputtered before it quit. The a/c severed high power lines and landed behind business at 13120 crenshaw blvd and caught fire. One person from thje business and a person passing by rescued the pilot. The rescuers put the fire out with a water hose and fire extinguishers. The pilot sustained serious injuries and one of the rescuers had some cuts, burns, and smoke inhalation. Both were transported to the hospital, the pilot remained in hospital the rescuers were released that evening. Total tac time 1979.48 (.4) history of flight: on October 26, 2000, about 1105 hours pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5A, N26470, made an off airport forced landing in Gardena, California. The private pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91. The pilot sustained serious inj uries and two persons on the ground sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed the airport at hawthorne, California, about 2 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that maintenance had just been completed on a cylinder and the carburetor, and this was to be the test flight. He completed a run up, took off to an altitude of 10 feet, and then landed in order to be safe and check the airplane out. He stated that everything seemed normal, so he taxied back and completed another run up. The run up was unremarkeable so he decided to takeoff for a short flight. He departed and, as he reached 400 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot said he pushed the nose over to maintain airspeed. He tried to restart the engine by hitting the starter button, but the engine did not restart. He looked at the instrument panel, but could not discern anything out of the ordinary. He made small left turns to determine if he could return to the airport, but decided he could not make it due to the low altitude. He looked for a landing zone that did not have people around it and headed for a flood control channel. The airplane's landing gear hit power line wires and a witness saw sparks. The airplane dragged a line with it as it passed over a business. The airplane came to rest on a service road next to the flood control channel. The airplane caught fire after coming to rest. Rescuers reported there were some flames in the cockpit, but most of the fire was on the ground by the left side of the engine. The rescuers used fire extinguishers and a water hose to control the flames and prevent further injury to the pilot. The pilot was conscious and moving, but couldn't release his seat belt. There was a lap belt, but not a shoulder harness. One of the rescuers couldn't release the seat belt, so he cut it. The canopy was closed and the windscreen was broken. The rescuer couldn't open the canopy and had to pull the pilot out through the broken windshield. One rescuer, who was transported to the hospital with cuts, burns, and lung congestion, was released that evening. Another rescuer transported himself for a checkup for lung congestion.