20020801025679A

(.19) On August 1, 2002, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N81310, was destroyed when it impacted terrain, shortly after takeoff from the donegal springs airpark (N71), Marietta, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. A witness was located about 75 feet west of the accident airplane as it was parked on the ramp at N71. The airplane caught the witness's attention because the pilot was having difficulty starting the engine. After the engine started, the airplane was taxied to the runway. The witness then proceeded by car from the airport's parking lot, where he observed the airplane in a steep 45-degree left bank, until it disappeared behind corn stalks. A second witness observed the accident airplane depart from the airport. The airplane was only airborne about 45 seconds, and the engine "cut off and on five times" before descending to the ground. A third witness observed the airplane in a sharp bank, with the left wing tipped downward and the right wing pointed towards the sky, before it disappeared below a tree line. The witness did not recall hearing any sounds from the engine. The wreckage site was located in a cornfield, about 1/2 statute mile, and a magnetic bearing of approximately 211 degrees from N71. The accident site was disturbed prior to the arrival of safety board personnel due to emergency rescue procedures. In addition, the area had been doused with water and firefighting agents to contain the post crash fire. The main fuselage was located about 65 feet from the first noted damage to the corn stalks, oriented on about a 330-degree magnetic bearing. It was consumed by the post-crash fire and destroyed. All crew and passenger seats were destroyed and separated from their attachment points. All major control surfaces of the airplane were accounted for at the accident scene. The engine was separated from the main fuselage. The propeller remained attached to the engine. One propeller blade was bent rearward about 70-degrees at it's mid-point. The propeller blade was also melted outboard of the bending area. The left wing tip and left wing aileron were located about 22-feet beyond the initial impact point. The aileron control stop was examined, and did not reveal any discrepancies. The left wing, which was separated from the main fuselage, was located about 5 feet prior to the main fuselage. The wing was separated into two sections. The right wing remained attached to the main fuselage and was consumed by the post-crash fire. The post-crash fire consumed the empennage, with the exception of a 4-foot section of right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, and the entire left elevator. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit area to the rudder and elevators. The rudder and stabilator control stops were examined, and did not reveal any discrepancies. All separated flight control cables exhibited frayed ends, consistent with tension overload, and no evidence of corrosion was noted at the separation points. The engine was recovered from the accident site and examined. The crankshaft was rotated via the propeller. Compression and valve train continuity was confirmed to all cylinders. The top and bottom spark plugs were removed and examined. Their electrodes were intact. The number 1 and 3 cylinder top and bottom sparkplugs were light gray in color, while the number 2 and 4 cylinder top and bottom sparkplugs were oil soaked. Both the left and right magnetos could not be tested due to impact and fire damage. According to personnel from N71, the pilot had recently purchased the airplane from an individual in arcadia, Florida. The pilot flew the airplane from arcadia to N71 during the week of July 19, 2002. According to the pilot's logbook, the total flight time for the trip from Florida was about 12.3 hours. The airplane was then flown again on July 29, from N71, on a local flight for about 1/2 hour. No further entries were noted in the logbook. According to a representative of a fixed base operator in lake city, Florida, where the pilot stopped on July 24, for fuel, the pilot had difficulty starting the engine when he prepared to depart. The pilot did not request, nor receive any maintenance assistance. According to a representative of a fixed base operator in florence, south carolina, where the pilot stopped later in the day on July 24, the pilot requested maintenance assistance. The maintenance performed on the airplane included removal, cleaning and verifying specifications of both magnetos, and all spark plugs. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land airplanes. His most recent application for a federal aviation administration third-class medical certificate was issued on July 24, 2001. The weather reported at a nearby airport, at 2053, was winds from 360 degrees at 5 knots, clear skies, and 10 statute miles of visibility. The temperature was 82 degrees fahrenheit. (-23) on August 1, 2002 at 2030 edst, a Grumman AA5B, N81310, departed donegal springs airpark airport (N71) using runway 28. After departure the aircraft made a very sharp turn as if to return to the airport, and crashed in a corn field approximately one mile from the airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and the four occupants were fatally injured.