# NTSB ERA09LA420: American AA-5, N65KS, Fort Pierce, FL, July 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 2009, 13:48 local (17:48 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.490278, -80.3675 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4903&lon=-80.3675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-change of cruise level: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA420 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74368/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74368 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA420 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result the failure of the engine fuel pump diaphragms during climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0631410), [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: [American AA-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was climbing to 2,500 feet mean sea level when he felt a vibration. The engine rpm dropped from 2,400 rpm to 1,800 rpm, and then the engine appeared to be "wind milling." He initiated a forced landing to an open field, and the airplane collided with a landscaping trailer, causing structural damage to the airplane. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no anomalies. The engine assembly was transported to an authorized repair facility for an engine run. Temporary repairs were made to leads and the engine fuel pump was bypassed due to damage from the collision with the trailer. The engine started and the power was increased to 1500 rpm. The power was not increased any further due to a bent propeller flange. The engine was stabilized and shut down. The fuel pump was removed from the engine and disassembled. The aircraft component list revealed the last fuel pump was installed in 1973. No other information was available on the fuel pump due to an engine swap. Examination of the fuel pump diaphragms revealed they were very hard and holes were present in the diaphragms. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2009, about 1348 eastern daylight time, an American AA-5, N65KS, registered to Checkmoot Enterprises LLC, and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Fort Pierce, Florida. The pilot made a forced landing to a grass area located adjacent to the Fort Pierce / St. Lucie Service Plaza, on the Florida Turnpike. The airplane received substantial damage to the airframe. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR), Fort Pierce, Florida, about 45 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he had initiated a climb from 1,500 feet mean seal level to 2,500 feet, when he felt a vibration. The engine rpm dropped from 2,400 rpm to 1,800 rpm, and then the engine appeared to be "wind milling." He notified Fort Pierce tower that he was going down and initiated a forced landing to a grassy area without extending the flaps. He switched fuel tanks, turned the boost pump on, checked the mixture to ensure it was full rich, and applied carburetor heat. The airplane touched down, bounced, and collided with a landscaping trailer. Examination of the crash site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the nose landing gear and the engine assembly separated from the airplane after the collision with the trailer. The propeller spinner was crushed and the propeller blades were bent aft and remained attached to the propeller crankshaft flange. The forward cabin area was intact. The throttle was in the full forward position, the mixture was full rich, and carburetor heat was in the on (aft) position. The fuel boost pump was off. The fuel selector valve was in a neutral position halfway between the left and right tank positions. Eyewitness (Florida Highway Patrol) reports indicate that the selector was moved from the right tank position to this neutral position by the responding fire department, to stop a fuel leak. Continuity of the flight controls was confirmed from the flight controls aft to all flight control surfaces. The right wing remained attached to the airframe and was damaged along the leading edge. The right main fuel tank was not ruptured. The fuel cap had a tight seal and fuel was present in the fuel tank. The right flap was not extended. The right aileron remained attached to all of its attachment points. The right main landing gear remained attached to the airframe. The empennage aft of the pilot’s compartment was damaged in the ventral fin area. The vertical fin, rudder, left and right horizontal stabilizers and elevators were not damaged. The left wing remained attached to the airframe and was damaged along the leading edge. The left main fuel tank was not ruptured. The fuel cap had a tight seal and fuel was present in the fuel tank. The left flap was not extended.The left aileron remained attached to all of its attachment points. The left main landing gear remained attached to the airframe. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. The upper spark plugs were removed. The electrodes had dark gray deposits and exhibited normal wear. The crankshaft was rotated by hand. Valve and drive train continuity was confirmed, and continuity was established with all accessory gears. Suction and compression was obtained. Test for spark was performed and was present on both magnetos. The engine assembly was transported to an authorized repair facility where it was prepped and mounted in an engine test stand. Temporary repairs were made to sparkplug leads damaged in the accident. The fuel pump inlet was damaged and bypassed during the run. The engine started promptly, oil pressure was good, and both magnetos were operating. The power was not increased above 1500 rpm due to a bent propeller flange. The engine was stabilized and shutdown. The fuel pump was removed from the engine and disassembled. The aircraft component list revealed the last fuel pump was installed in 1973. The fuel pump is an airframe item and the original engine logbook was not available due to an engine swap. Examination of the fuel pump diaphragms revealed they were very hard and holes were present in the diaphragms. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65KS-2009-09-02), registration cancelled 2009-09-02, S/N AA5-0148, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-5 - Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5-0148 - Airframe hours: 2587 - Engines: LYCOMING O-340 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth H. Smith - Registered owner: Checkmoot Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2008, 11 hours before - Departed: FPR, Fort Pierce, FL - Destination: FPR, Fort Pierce, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 3,160 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,080 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: FPR, 9 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 20090724018049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090724018049A), Jul 24, 2009: Amrgen AA5, Ft. Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft was on a local flight west of st. lucie int'l airport. Approximately 45 minutes of flight while cruising at 1500 ft barometric, the pilot… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74368. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Florida Highway Patrol Report (item 3, .PDF, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Florida%20Highway%20Patrol%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - View of forced landing area. Photo FAA (item 4, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20View%20of%20forced%20landing%20area.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of ground track and collision with trailer. Photo FAA (item 5, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20%20View%20of%20ground%20track%20and%20collision%20with%20trailer.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Continuation of ground track and ground collision. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Continuation%20of%20ground%20track%20and%20ground%20collision.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - View of airplane in trailer. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20View%20of%20airplane%20in%20trailer.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.