# NTSB ATL82DA234: Grumman American AA-5A, N9722U, Providence, KY, August 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1982, 23:30 local (Aug 12, 1982, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Providence, KY
- Coordinates: 37.389411, -87.750541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3894&lon=-87.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA234

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DENSE GROUND FOG DEVELOPED BEFORE THE PLT RETURNED TO LAND. HE MADE TWO APPROACHES & GO-AROUNDS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, & EACH TIME HE HAD TO FLY VERY LOW TO SEE THE RWY LIGHTS. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE THIRD APPROACH HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE ARPT & NOT SPENDING ENOUGH TIME LOOKING AT HIS INSTRUMENTS, & INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED DOWN IN A CORN FIELD ABOUT 400 YDS SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT ALSO STATED HE HAD NOT FLOWN WITH A CFI DURING THE PAST YEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9722U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9722U-1995-03-17), registration cancelled 1995-03-17, S/N AA5A0122 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0122
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clay Machine Works, Inc.
- Registered owner: Clay Machine Works, Inc.
- Departed: 8M9, PROVIDENCE, KY
- Destination: 8M9, PROVIDENCE, KY
- Airport: 8M9, Providence-Webster County, runway 34, 3,800 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 211 total, 160 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820811040509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820811040509A), Aug 11, 1982: Gulstm AA5A, Providence, KY, Substantial damage. Student pilot attempted landing in foggy conditions, crashed short of runway.

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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