# NTSB ATL03LA120: Gulfstream American AA-5A, N727FT, Canon, GA, July 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 2003, 20:10 local (Jul 26, 2003, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Canon, GA - Coordinates: 34.34, -83.133331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3400&lon=-83.1333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA120 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to water and corrosion in the fuel system. A factor was the collision with a ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - fuel system,pump - corroded (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, emergency descent/landing - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis According to the private pilot, shortly after takeoff the airplane had a complete loss of engine power. Efforts by the pilot to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot selected a field for an emergency landing, and during the landing rollout, the airplane collided with a ditch and collapsed the nose gear. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel metering valve in the fuel pump was corroded shut. Approximately 5-tablespoons of water were retrieved from the fuel pump. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 2003, at 2010 eastern daylight time, a Gulfstream American, AA-5A, N727FT, owned and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground and collapsed the nose gear following a loss of engine power near Canon, Georgia . The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Franklin County Airport, Canon, Georgia, on July 25, 2003, at 2000. According to the private pilot, shortly after take-off the airplane had a complete loss of engine power. Efforts by the pilot to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot selected a field for an emergency landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with a ditch and collapsed the nose gear. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane came to rest inverted. The firewall, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer were buckled. Both wings and canopy sustained crush damage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel metering valve in the fuel pump was corroded shut. Approximately 5-tablespoons of water was retrieved from the fuel pump. Water was found in the fuel line from the fuel pump to the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N727FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N727FT-2006-08-30), registration cancelled 2006-08-30, S/N AA5A0811, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gulfstream American 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: 0811 - Airframe hours: 7169 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bobby Myers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: 18A, CANON, GA - Airport: 18A, Franklin County, runway 08, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KCEU ## 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 20030726026879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030726026879A), Jul 26, 2003: Amrgen AA5A, Canon, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N727FT departed rwy 8 from 18A. Lost total power on takeoff and crashed in field approx. 1 mile north of airport. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.