# NTSB DEN86LA037: Grumman AA-5A, Fort Collins, CO, December 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1985, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.549942, -105.060501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5499&lon=-105.0605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - wing - ice
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - ice
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT USED OVER TWICE THE NORMAL DISTANCE TO RWY TO BECOME AIRBORNE. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE STALL WARNING SOUNDED, AND CONTINUED TO SOUND UNTIL THE FORCED LANDING WHEN THE PLT SAID HE COULDNOT MAINTAIN ALT. THE ACFT CONTACTED A ROAD SIGN APRX 1/2 MILE FROM THE RWY, PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN ON THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN, AND LATER COMING TO REST OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT. THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE WINGS AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE COVERED WITHROUGH ICE WHICH THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE PRIOR TO FLT. THE PLT ALSO STATED THAT THE ICE ON THE SURFACE OF THE AIRFOILS HAD NO BEARING ON THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N991OU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0310
- Airframe hours: 2030
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Harding
- Registered owner: John A. Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Destination: CBF, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,151 total, 171 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

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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