# NTSB ATL93LA098: Grumman AA5B, N74092, Cummings, GA, May 31, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1993, 12:53 local (16:53 UTC) - Place: Cummings, GA - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA098 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING FROM THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE DURING THE GROUND OPERATION. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis THE PILOT COMPLETED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND RUNUP BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. THERE WERE NO AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS NOTED DURING THE PREFLIGHT, AND ALL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE CARBURETOR HEAT, OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE SUBSEQUENT RUNUP PROCEDURE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE EXPERIENCED A GRADUAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ATTEMPT FROM A 1500 FOOT LONG PRIVATE SOD AIRSTRIP. REALIZING THAT A SAFE CLIMB WAS NOT POSSIBLE, THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT AFTER THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED A FEW FEET. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 29. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF WEATHER DATA REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1993, at 1253 eastern daylight time a Grumman AA5B, N74092, collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from a private airstrip near Cummings, Georgia. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Cummings. According to the pilot, he completed a preflight inspection which included an engine runup; all systems operated normally, including the carburetor heat system. The pilot planned to depart Cummings on a local personal flight before rain showers moved into the immediate area. He taxied the airplane to the active runway and began the takeoff. During the initial climb after lift off, the engine gradually lost power. The takeoff was aborted, the airplane settled back onto the 1500 foot sod runway, and rolled off the departure end of the runway. According to the pilot, the engine continued to run throughout the entire sequence of events until he shut it down. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. There was no record of a pilot weather briefing prior to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74092](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74092), registered now, S/N AA5B-0127, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5-0127 - Airframe hours: 1301 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bennett, Jewell M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1992, 20 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 29, 1,500 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 613 total, 194 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 20 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 19930531015699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930531015699A), May 31, 1993: Gulstm AA5B, Cummings, GA, Substantial damage. Beleived losing power on takeoff. Aborted late and crashed. No anomalies. Conditiions good for carburetor icing. 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.