# NTSB DEN93LA067: Grumman American AA-5, N7129L, Watkins, CO, June 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1993, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.749019, -104.599876 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7490&lon=-104.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA067

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHICH PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM MAINTAINING CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS:  LOW CEILING.

## 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
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF ON AN IFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT COMMENCED A 180 DEGREE TURN AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS AT 300 FEET AGL.  THE INSTRUMENTS INDICATED DIFFERENTLY THAN HIS PHYSIOLOGICAL SENSES AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH DESCENDED IN A SPIRAL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES FROM THE TAKEOFF AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7129L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7129L-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N AA5-0629, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0629
- Airframe hours: 3145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Advanced Aviation
- Registered owner: Scott, Carl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 101 hours before
- Destination: DDC, DODGE CITY, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight engineer, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 803 total, 41 in this make and model, 740 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTG, 2 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 19930606017029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930606017029A), Jun 6, 1993: Gulstm AA5, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control on IFR climbout. Broke out in spiral dive. Was able to level prior to ground impact.

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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