# NTSB CHI87LA094: American AA5, N5896L, Flint, MI, March 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1987, 22:07 local (Mar 9, 1987, 03:07 UTC)
- Place: Flint, MI
- Coordinates: 43.010044, -83.689888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0100&lon=-83.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A FORCED LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ABOUT TWO MILES FROM BISHOP AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A SIGNPOST AND A CONCRETE BRIDGE. THE PILOT HAD REPORTED THAT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL WHEN HE WAS ABOUT NINE MILES AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BASED THE FUEL LEFT IN THE RIGHT TANK ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE LEFT TANK RAN ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5896L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5896L-1989-08-31), registration cancelled 1989-08-31, S/N AA50096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA5
- Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0096
- Airframe hours: 1845
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry A. Bearup
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1986
- Departed: IDW, IRONWOOD, MI
- Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 423 total, 353 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 3 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 19870308047729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870308047729A), Mar 8, 1987: Gulstm AA5, Flint, MI, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft landed on a highway, hitting a guardrail and a bridge.

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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