# NTSB ATL82FKW09: Grumman AA-1, N5628L, Lafayette, TN, August 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1982, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, TN
- Location: 36.5241° N, 86.0307° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lafayette, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5241&lon=-86.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FKW09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FKW09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - cooling system,cowling - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE APPARENTLY TRYING TO LAND IN A FIELD DRG IFR CONDITIONS AFTER LOSS OF A TOP ENG COWLING. THE PLT HAD JUST MADE A MAY DAY TRANSMISSION THAT HE HAD LOST HIS COWLING. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHETHER THE COWLING WAS LOST BEFORE OR AFTER HE ENTERED INTO THE WEATHER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE OVERCAST WAS 100 FT AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/2 MILE IN FOG. THE WEATHER DATA CITED ABOVE WAS THE OFFICIAL WEATHER RECORDED AT BOWL GREEN, KY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5628L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0028
- Airframe hours: 1901
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Summes
- Registered owner: Richard Summes
- Departed: OLNEY, IL
- Destination: TITUSVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 105 total, 34 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820809038619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820809038619A), Aug 9, 1982: Gulstm AA1, Lafayette, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot made emergency transmission stating engine cowling lost. Crash occurred during attempted landing in field.

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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