# NTSB ATL93FA016: Grumman American AA-5, N8869L, Snow Hill, NC, October 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1992, 19:53 local (Oct 27, 1992, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Snow Hill, NC
- Coordinates: 35.44902, -77.670776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4490&lon=-77.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO A RETURN FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HIS ENGINE HAD FAILED, AND HE WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING ON A RURAL ROAD. NIGHT, VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. AS THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN, IT COLLIDED WITH A PINE TREE, THE LEFT WING SEVERED, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST INVERTED, A FIRE ERUPTED, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. ACCORDING TO CARBURETOR ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8869L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8869L-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N AA50657 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0657
- Airframe hours: 3151
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Tar Heel Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tar Heel Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1992, 84 hours before
- Departed: RWI, ROCKY MOUNT, NC
- Destination: OAJ, JACKSONVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 221 total, 149 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISO, 13 nm away

## 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 19921026047029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921026047029A), Oct 26, 1992: Gulstm AA5B, Snow Hill, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with a tree and terrain during a forced landing. Pilot stated he had engine failure. Fire after cash.

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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