# NTSB CHI03LA298: Grumman American AA-5A, N9574U, Harrisville, MI, August 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2003, 14:18 local (18:18 UTC) - Place: Harrisville, MI - Coordinates: 44.670833, -83.304168 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6708&lon=-83.3042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA298 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. A factor to the accident was the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing after takeoff. The pilot reported that prior to the short-field takeoff he completed a "standard runup and instrument checks." The pilot stated that the engine "cut out" at approximately 1,200 feet msl while he was maneuvering to depart the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that he "immediately got the plane in a [descent] attitude to keep airspeed up (70 mph). [The pilot] performed a cursory review of the instruments. [Magnetos] were on both, fuel pump on, full throttle and mixture." The pilot stated that the airplane impacted between two pine trees during the forced landing. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airframe or its engine. No fuel contamination was found in the fuel sample obtained from the carburetor bowl. During the on-scene investigation the engine was started and successfully run at idle power. The engine ran on both magnetos and while isolated on each individual magneto. A full throttle engine run could not be accomplished due to propeller damage, however, the engine responded to momentary throttle inputs. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2003, at 1418 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5A, N9574U, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 21 (2,200 feet by 60 feet, turf) at the Harrisville Airport (5Y0), Harrisville, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his two passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of Ray Community Airport (57D), Ray, Michigan. According to the pilot's written statement, prior to engine startup he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and visually verified the fuel quantity to be approximately 27 gallons. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he completed a "standard runup and instrument checks." The pilot reported he decided to perform a short-field takeoff, with wing flaps set to approximately 1/3 total extension. The pilot stated he held the brakes until engine rpm reached 2,350 and the airplane subsequently rotated after using approximately 700 feet of runway. The pilot reported the airplane cleared the tree obstructions by 100 feet and he retracted the wing flaps at 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot stated that the engine "cut out" at approximately 1,200 feet msl while he was maneuvering to depart the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that he "immediately got the plane in a [descent] attitude to keep airspeed up (70 mph). [The pilot] performed a cursory review of the instruments. [Magnetos] were on both, fuel pump on, full throttle and mixture." The pilot stated that the airplane impacted between two pine trees during the forced landing. The automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (OSC), located approximately 14 nautical miles south-southwest of 5Y0, recorded the following weather information at 1415: Wind 110 degrees true at 7 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; sky clear; temperature 20 degrees Celsius; dew point of 09 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.28 inches-of-mercury. Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed the on-scene examination of the airplane. Air was expelled and drawn into all cylinders when the engine crankshaft was rotated by means of the propeller. The left magneto, which contained an impulse coupling, provided spark on all leads when the propeller was rotated. No anomalies were found with the ignition sequence or timing. The carburetor bowl contained a blue-colored fluid that was consistent with 100-low lead aviation fuel. The fuel sample did not contain any visible sediment or water contamination. The bracket air-filter was not collapsed and the induction system was not obstructed. The engine started and ran at idle power without anomalies. The engine ran on both magnetos and while isolated on each individual magneto. A full throttle engine run could not be accomplished due to propeller damage, however, the engine responded to momentary throttle inputs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9574U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9574U-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N AA5A-0074, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5A - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5-0074 - Airframe hours: 2717 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2003, 47 hours before - Departed: 5Y0, Harrisville, MI - Destination: 57D, Ray, MI - Airport: 5Y0, Harrisville Airport, runway 21, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 21, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 154 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: OSC, 14 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 20030830025089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030830025089A), Aug 30, 2003: Amrgen AA5A, Harrisville, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon departure from runway #22, the pilot reported during climbout, just past 1000 MSL, he raised the flaps and lowered the nose to leave the pattern… ## Other investigations on N9574U (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW77DQG26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DQG26), May 15, 1977: Grum Amer AA5A (N9574U), Sheffield, TX, substantial damage 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.