# NTSB CHI88FA067: Grumman American AA-5A, N9958U, Martinsville, IN, February 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1988, 16:31 local (21:31 UTC)
- Place: Martinsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.420028, -86.419502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4200&lon=-86.4195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA067

## Probable cause

PILOT TO TAKE INTO CAONSIDERATION THE WIND DIRECTION AND VELOCITY BEFORE SELECTING HIS TAKEOFF DIRECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN A DEPARTURE BY TAKING OFF TO THE EAST , DOWNWIND, ON A 2000' UPSLOPING RWY. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLEAR TREES & POWERLINES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. IT THEN DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED, AND WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. ABOUT 20 MI EAST-NORTHEAST, AT INDIANAPOLIS, THE 1553 EST WIND WAS FROM 310 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 22 KTS. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL APPLICATION WAS DATED 10/3/87, BUT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DENIED DUE TO A CARDIO-VASCULAR PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9958U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9958U-1989-08-03), registration cancelled 1989-08-03, S/N AA5A0358 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0358
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lutz G. Machon
- Registered owner: Lutz G Machon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: I14, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Airport: Private, runway 9, 2,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 20 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 19880223004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880223004389A), Feb 23, 1988: Gulstm AA5A, Martinsville, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Tried to takeoff downwind on a Private strip. Struck trees and a powerline before ground impact. 2000 foot runway.

## Other investigations on N9958U (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 MKC82DA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA038), Feb 21, 1982: Grumman AA-5A (N9958U), Monona, IA, 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.

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