# NTSB CEN11LA084: Grumman American AA-5B, N4541L, Navada, TX, November 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 27, 2010, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Navada, TX - Coordinates: 33.042778, -96.363891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0428&lon=-96.3639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 77891 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77891/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77891 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA084 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to debris obstructing the fuel filter, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was cruising at 3,000 feet when the engine sputtered. He switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank and turned the boost pump on. He said that the engine regained power, but lost power shortly thereafter, so he performed a forced landing to an open plowed field. During the landing, the airplane cleared power lines but stalled and impacted in the field. A postaccident engine examination revealed the fuel filter contained considerable debris that resembled paint chips. The pilot said the airplane had recently been painted. The engine was test run with a clean fuel filter and it operated satisfactorily. The fuel system between the fuel tanks and the electric fuel pump was pressurized and checked for leaks. Two leaks were found, and fuel stains were noted in the area of the leaks. However, it is unlikely that these two leaks could cause a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 2010, approximately 1550 central standard time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N4541L, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing after the engine lost power during near Navada, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The cross-country flight originated at Bonham (F00), Texas, and was en route to Rockwall (F46), Texas. The pilot told FAA inspectors that while in cruise flight, the engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the pilot was able to clear power lines, but the airplane stalled and impacted terrain. The left wing was bent from the wing tip inboard about two ribs, and the spar in that area was broken. The nose and right main landing gears were also torn off. According to the pilot's accident report, he was cruising at 3,000 feet when "the engine sputtered." The pilot switched from the right to the left fuel tank and turned the boost pump on. The engine "started to regain power, then began to lose RPM again." After clearing powerlines, "the right wing went up in response to a wind gust" and the airplane impacted an open plowed field. At 1553, the surface wind conditions at Dallas Love Field Airport, approximately 35 miles southeast of the accident site were reported 190 degrees at 7 knots. On December 7, 2010, the engine was examined and functionally tested at the facilities of Fletchaire, Incorporated, Fleet Support in Fredericksburg, Texas. Prior to the engine run, the carburetor bowl was examined and found to be clean and dry. The fuel filter contained considerable debris that resembled paint chips. The pilot said the airplane had recently been painted. The fuel filter was cleaned and reinstalled. The engine operated satisfactory. The fuel system between the fuel tanks and the electric fuel pump was pressurized and checked for leaks. Two leaks were found. In a memo from Fletchaire, Inc., they reported finding one leak at the fitting that reduced the 3/8” fuel line to a 1/8” flare fitting. The leak was between the #6 tee (MS20826-6D) fitting and the 5401131-2 reducer. The other leak was a cracked flare fitting on the copper primer line where it attached to the 5401131-2 reducer. Fuel stains were noted in this area. Fletchaire, Inc., said it was possible that "air may have been sucked into the fuel system, cavitating the fuel line at this point. This may not have caused this plane’s demise." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4541L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4541L-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N AA5B1319, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5B - 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: AA5B1319 - Airframe hours: 2314 - Engines: Lycoming O-360- 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joe Allman - Registered owner: Joe Allman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2010, 31 hours before - Departed: F00, Bonham, TX - Destination: F46, Rockwall, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 16, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 782 total, 736 in this make and model, 782 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: DAL ## 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 20101127055329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101127055329A), Nov 27, 2010: Grumman Ame AA-5B, Royse City, TX, Substantial damage. Thepic departed foo enroute to F-46 on 11/27/2010 at about 15:30. At about 15:50 the engine sputtered. The engine switched from RH to LH tank and turned on the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77891. 1.0 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 558 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum from David Fletcher, Fletchaire, Inc. (item 2, .PDF, 8 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20from%20David%20Fletcher,%20Fletchaire,%20Inc.-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-Master.PDF 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.