# NTSB CHI98LA311: Grumman American AA-5B, N74827, Decatur, IN, August 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1998, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Decatur, IN - Coordinates: 40.829105, -84.920448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8291&lon=-84.9204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA311 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff and his premature raising of the flaps which resulted in the stall/mush condition. ## 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 - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - object - airport sign/marker - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane lifted off about 1/2 way down the airstrip at 65 knots with 10 degrees of flaps. He reported he attempted to keep the airplane close to the ground to gain airspeed because it felt a 'little mushy.' The pilot removed the flaps hoping to pick up airspeed, but 'things just got worse.' The airplane struck a runway marker along the right side of the runway. It then bounced on the airstrip, crossed over a road, and came to rest in a soybean field. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1998, at 1230 eastern daylight time (edt), a Grumman American AA-5B, N74827, registered to Sky Rangers of Detroit, Inc., of Detroit, Michigan, was substantially damaged during a collision with a runway marker and the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Decatur Hi-Way Airstrip, Decatur, Indiana. The private pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was departing at the time of the accident with a destination of Port Huron, Michigan. The pilot reported that the local winds were calm so he decided to use runway 18 for takeoff because of the downhill grade. He reported that he began the takeoff 20 feet from the beginning of the airstrip because the grass was long. The pilot reported the airplane lifted off about 1/2 way down the airstrip at 65 knots with 10 degrees of flaps. He reported he attempted to keep the airplane close to the ground to gain airspeed because it felt a "little mushy." The pilot reported he removed the flaps hoping to pick up airspeed, but "things just got worse." The airplane struck a runway marker along the right side of the runway. It then bounced on the airstrip, crossed over a road, and came to rest in a soybean field. A post accident test run of the engine was performed. The engine operated up to 2,000 rpm with no abnormalities noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74827](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74827), registered now, S/N AA5B0373, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5B - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5B0373 - Airframe hours: 5475 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Rangers Of Detroit, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1998, 175 hours before - Departed: DCR - Destination: PHN, PORT HURON, MI - Airport: DCR, Decatur Hi-Way, runway 18, 2,509 × 140 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FWA, 17 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 19980813020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980813020679A), Aug 13, 1998: Gulstm AA5B, Decatur, IN, Substantial damage. Acft did not gain speed on takeoff but gained 25 feet in altitude pilot lost control of the acft, bounced twice on the ground. (.19)on August 13, 1998, at 1330… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.