# NTSB CHI84FA308: Grumman AA-5, N1338R, Little Falls, MN, July 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1984, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Little Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 45.970623, -94.360099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9706&lon=-94.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA308

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. THE LOW TIME PLT WAS USING A GRASS RWY FOR THE 1ST TIME WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR. THE ACFT WAS ROTATED PREMATURELY AND ASSUMED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS THE ACFT WAS 'BEHIND THE POWER CURVE' FROM TAKEOFF TO CRASH. THE HUSBAND OF THE PLT, WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT FROM ACROSS THE ARPT, SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS GOIND SLOWER THAN HE EXPECTED. AN AG PLT WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT STATED THE ACFT CLIMBED STEEPER UNTIL IT WAS VERTICAL, DID A WING OVER (HAMMERHEAD) AND DOVE STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND WHERE IT BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1338R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1338R-2012-06-21), registration cancelled 2012-06-21, S/N AA5-0738, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-073
- Airframe hours: 1816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: LXL, LITTLE FALLS, MN
- Airport: LXL, Little Falls, runway 18, 3,000 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 67 total, 30 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19840724034379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840724034379A), Jul 24, 1984: Gulstm AA5, Little Falls, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Takeoff on grass strip. Arriving at paved runway, over rotated. Aircraft left ground. Stalled, impacted ground.

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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