# NTSB ATL83LA002: Grumman AA-5B, N28820, Denver, NC, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Denver, NC
- Coordinates: 35.47087, -81.240287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4709&lon=-81.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 80-04-05, [AD 82-27-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/82-27-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly - vibration
  - engine assembly,mount - overload
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 3500 FT MSL, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE (LIKE AN EXPLOSION) AND SAW THE ENGINE COWLING COME OPEN. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE MOVEMENT. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, AND AT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. WITNESSES, WHO SAW THE PLANE LAND, STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS JUST HANGING ON AND DROPPING DOWN DURING THE APPROACH. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT 1 BLADE OF THE MCCAULEY, 1A170 PROPELLER HAD FAILED AND SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. A A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BLADE HAD FAILED FROM HIGH CYCLE, LOW STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING. THE CRACK INITIATED FROM AN AREA ADJACENT TO AN ATTACHMENT BOLT HOLE. AD 80-04-05 HAD PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED A CRACKING PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL/PROPELLER. IT CALLED FOR A ONE TIME DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION WHICH HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED ON THE FAILED PROPELLER. AFTER THIS ACCIDENT, AD 82-27-01 WAS ISSUED TO INSPECT THIS MAKE AND MODEL EVERY 200 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28820 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0839
- Airframe hours: 2276
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William T. Jay
- Registered owner: Lawrence D. Dwyer
- Departed: ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: GREENSBORO, NC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 766 total, 746 in this make and model, 684 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19821003050239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821003050239A), Oct 3, 1982: Gulstm AA5B, Dener, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after propeller failed during cruise flight.

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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