# NTSB BFO93LA024: Grumman American AA-5, N1383R, Lanham, MD, January 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1993, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Lanham, MD
- Coordinates: 38.959922, -76.849617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9599&lon=-76.8496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA024

## Probable cause

THE BLOCKAGE OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT FUEL VENT LINE WHICH PREVENTED THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE CAUSING TOTAL POWER LOSS.

## 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
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1,400 FEET MSL, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER.  THE PILOT COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.  DUE TO THE CONGESTED AREA, THE PILOT COULD NOT MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE.  TO AVOID HITTING A HOME OR POWERLINE, THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRPLANE AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE FELL 200 FEET ONTO A ROAD. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL VENT LINES WERE TOTALLY BLOCKED BY INSECT NESTS, WHICH TERMINATED THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.  THE BLOCKAGES WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL VENT LINES AT THE WING ROOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1383R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1383R-1993-07-21), registration cancelled 1993-07-21, S/N AA50783 (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: AA5-0783
- Airframe hours: 1880
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Spiegelthal
- Registered owner: David Spiegelthal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: W28, FRIENDLY, MD
- Destination: W18, LAUREL, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 450 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 2 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 19930131001269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930131001269A), Jan 31, 1993: Gulstm AA5, Lanham, MD, Destroyed. Lost power shortly after departure stalled landing on city street. Fuel tank vent clogged by insect nest.

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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