# NTSB ATL00LA089: Grumman AA-5A, N26934, St. Augustine, FL, September 10, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 2000, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.760677, -81.299285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7607&lon=-81.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA089

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination,water (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the engine sputtered shortly after takeoff. The pilot initiated an emergency landing to the runway. The airplane collided with the runway during the attempted forced landing. The post-crash examination of the airplane discovered evidence of rust and water in the fuel boost pump. A subsequent functional check of the engine was also accomplished.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 2000, at 1815 eastern daylight time, a Grumman AA-5A, N26934, collided with the ground during a forced landing at the St. Augustine Airport in St. Augustine, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and her two passengers received serious injuries. The accident occurred during the takeoff from St. Augustine, Florida, at 1814.

The private pilot reported that the engine sputtered shortly after takeoff from runway 13 as the airplane climbed through 100 feet. The pilot then stated that she switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. The pilot reported a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to make a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane subsequently collided with the runway during touchdown, and skidded off the runway. The airplane came to rest in a marshy area several hundred feet left of the runway centerline.

Examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. During the subsequent examination, necessary repairs were made to the engine assembly to facilitate a functional check. The engine operated normally up to 2100 rpm during the functional check. The post-crash examination of the airplane also revealed evidence of rust and water in the fuel boost pump.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26934](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26934-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N AA5A0820, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman AA-5A
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5a) (registry code 3970104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A 0820
- Airframe hours: 1484
- Engines: Lycoming O32O-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Diane T. Trifilentti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1999, 13 hours before
- Departed: SGJ
- Airport: KSGJ, St. Augustine, runway 13, 7,996 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total, 315 in this make and model, 278 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGJ

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000910015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000910015219A), Sep 10, 2000: Amrgen AA5A, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff at approx. 100' engine stalled and a/c crashed into marsh 100 yds off the departure end of rwy 31. A/c sustained substantial damage and…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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