# NTSB DEN77FA015: Grum Amer AA-1, N5679L, Alder, CO, December 19, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 19, 1976
- Place: Alder, CO · ALDER, CO
- Location: 38.3694° N, 106.0395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alder, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3694&lon=-106.0395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN77FA015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA015

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3808  76/12/19   ALDER,CO            GRUM AMER AA-1      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 1200
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N5679L              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 800 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          RIDGECREST,CA               COLUMBUS,OH                  GUNNISON,CO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT SERVICE CEILING 11250FT.WRECKAGE RECOVERED 7/19/77 IN MTNS APRX 11500FT LEVEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5679L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5679L-1977-04-26), registration cancelled 1977-04-26, S/N AA1-0079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUM AMER AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19761219041769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761219041769A), Dec 19, 1976: Grumav AA1, Alder, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Acft service ceiling 11250FT.wreckage recovered 7/19/77 in mtns aprx 11500FT level.

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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