# NTSB CHI88LA229: Grumman AA-5B, N28774, Schaumburg, IL, September 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1988, 22:00 local (Sep 2, 1988, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Coordinates: 42.060623, -88.200393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0606&lon=-88.2004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPTED NIGHT LANDING AT AN AIRPORT WITH INOPERATIVE PILOT-CONTROLLED RUNWAY LIGHTS, THE PILOT MADE A SERIES OF LOW PASSES (APPROXIMATELY 6 PASSES) BEFORE TRYING TO LAND. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A TREE LOCATED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OF THE EXTENDED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO BRUSHY TERRAIN. THE INOPERATIVE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE PROPERLY NOTAMED AND THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28774](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28774-1994-02-11), registration cancelled 1994-02-11, S/N AA5B0727 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0727
- Airframe hours: 1543
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keegan, Richard J.
- Registered owner: Keegan, Richard J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: 06C, SCHAUMBURG, IL
- Airport: 06C, Schaumburg, runway 28, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,134 total, 912 in this make and model, 1,011 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 8 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 19880901036829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880901036829A), Sep 1, 1988: Gulstm AA5B, Chicago/Schaumb, IL, Substantial damage. Struck a tree, lost control and crashed trying to land at unlighted airport. Pilot knew by NOTAM lights were out.

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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