# NTSB DFW08CA183: Grumman American AA-5A, N9678U, Denton, TX, July 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2008, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Denton, TX - Coordinates: 33.205554, -97.197219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2056&lon=-97.1972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to departing on a cross-country flight, that both of the aircraft's fuel tanks were filled with fuel. Additionally, the pilot stated that during flight she failed to switch fuel tanks. While talking to the airport's control tower and during the approach to the runway, the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing in a nearby field. The airplane's landing gear collapsed and the airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, reported that the right wing fuel tank appeared empty and that the fuel selector was on the right wing fuel tank position. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to departing on a cross-country flight, that both of the aircraft's fuel tanks were filled with fuel. Additionally, the pilot stated that during flight she failed to switch fuel tanks. While talking to the airport's control tower and during the approach to the runway, the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing in a nearby field. The aircraft's landing gear collapsed and the aircraft was substantially damaged during the forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, reported that the right wing fuel tank appeared empty and that the fuel selector was on the right wing fuel tank position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9678U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9678U-2009-09-08), registration cancelled 2009-09-08, S/N AA5A0044, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5A - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5A0044 - Airframe hours: 3732.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008 - Departed: EOS, NEOSHO, MO - Destination: Denton, TX - Airport: DTO, Denton Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,059 total, 75 in this make and model, 995 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg ## 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 20080711840589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080711840589A), Jul 11, 2008: Amrgen AA5A, Denton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Approx five statue miles (sm) west of Denton Municipal Airport at 3500 feet mean sea level (MSL) the aircraft lost power due to fuel exhaustion in the… ## Other investigations on N9678U (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI79FEK11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEK11), Apr 28, 1979: Grumman AA5A (N9678U), Port Columbus, OH, substantial damage 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.