# NTSB CHI86FA170: Grumman AA5B, N81259, Benton Harbor, MI, July 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1986, 07:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.109336, -86.440277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1093&lon=-86.4403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,push rod - bent (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft performance,turn capability - exceeded (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 09.  PASSENGER REMEMBERS THE PILOT STARTING TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT WHEN THE WINGS WENT PERPENDICULAR TO THE HORIZON AND THE GROUND CAME RUSHING UP.  TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A BENT PUSH ROD AND A SPLIT PUSH ROD SHROUD ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81259 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0477
- Airframe hours: 2743
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tail Dragger Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1986, 56 hours before
- Departed: BEH
- Destination: C91, CASS CO MEM ARP, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 26 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BEH

## 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 19860714032699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860714032699A), Jul 14, 1986: Gulstm AA5B, Benton Harbor, MI, Destroyed. The engine failed on takeoff and the pilot stalled the aircraft. The pushrod was found bent. Suspect defective oil

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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