# NTSB DEN90LA145: Grumman AA5B, N28421, Monte Vista, CO, June 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1990, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Monte Vista, CO
- Location: 37.5287° N, 106.0459° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONTE VISTA MUNI (MVI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5287&lon=-106.0459&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION AND LIFTOFF.

## 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
  - object - fence
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FLYING AN ORIENTATION FLIGHT WITH THREE PASSENGERS. THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 11,000 FEET. HE SAID THE PLANE SEEMED SLUGGISH DURING GROUND RUN. HE SAID HE LIFTED OFF AT 70 MPH, FLEW INTO GROUND EFFECT, BUT COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO CLIMB SPEED. HE SAID THE PLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE 6,000 FOOT RUNWAY AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IT ATTAINED 5 FEET AGL AND REMAINED ALOFT. HE SAID HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE PLANE STRUCK A FENCE 150 FEET BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THEN A GRAVEL ROAD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED IN THE POSTACCIDENT FIRE. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE SEEMED TO LIFT OFF BEFORE ACHIEVING FLYING SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28421](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28421-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N AA5B0604 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred J. Schrotenboer, doing business as San Luis Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: MVI
- Destination: MVI
- Airport: MVI, Monte Vista, runway 20, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,900 total, 200 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS, 15 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 19900627022719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900627022719A), Jun 27, 1990: Gulstm AA5B, Monte Vista, CO, Destroyed. Tried to depart in eleven thousand feet density altitude. Settled bounced hit a fence and burned. Near gross weight

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.