# NTSB CHI79FEK11: Grumman AA5A, N9678U, Port Columbus, OH, April 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 28, 1979
- Place: Port Columbus, OH · PORT COLUMBUS, OH
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 25, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEK11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEK11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0722  79/4/28    PORT COLUMBUS,OH    GRUMMAN AA5A        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 20, 76 TOTAL
        TIME - 1115                    N9678U              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 11 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PORT COLUMBUS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PORT COLUMBUS,OH            PORT COLUMBUS,OH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LD ON GOLF DRIVING RANGE.#3 EXH VALVE FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9678U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9678U-2009-09-08), registration cancelled 2009-09-08, S/N AA5A0044, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5A
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Port Columbus

## 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 19790428007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790428007209A), Apr 28, 1979: Gulstm AA5A, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve face had separated and was found in the ventura of the carburetor shutting off fuel.

## Other investigations on N9678U (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 DFW08CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA183), Jul 11, 2008: Grumman American AA-5A (N9678U), Denton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power.

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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