# NTSB ERA11LA342: Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, N8476B, Linden, NC, June 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 2011, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Linden, NC - Coordinates: 35.218055, -78.796386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2181&lon=-78.7964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report November 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80757/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80757 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA342 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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 stated that, during the initial climb, the airplane felt like the engine was not developing full power and was not going to clear a tree at the end of the runway. He lowered the nose, and the airplane settled into trees. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a postcrash fire ensued. Postcrash fire damage precluded an inspection of the fuel or ignition system; however, examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 valves were seized, consistent with thermal damage from the fire. The examination also revealed that the compression was lower on the No. 1 cylinder. The examination could not determine if the lower compression was a preimpact condition or a result of the impact and fire damage. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2011, about 1040 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5A, N8476B, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during takeoff from Flyers Airport (9NC2), Linden, North Carolina. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. The pilot stated that he had been flying out of 9NC2 for over 20 years and was very familiar with the 2,850-foot-long turf runway. Additionally, he had departed many times with the three passengers onboard, who were his grandchildren, ages 10, 12, and 14. The pilot further stated that the takeoff weight was below the 2,200-pound maximum gross weight and he departed with an approximate 5-knot headwind. During the initial climb after takeoff from runway 04, the airplane felt like the engine was not developing full power, and was not going to clear a tree at the end of the runway. The pilot lowered the nose, rather than risking a stall, and the airplane settled into trees. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a postcrash fire ensued. All occupants were able to safely egress before the fire consumed the airplane. The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane was manufactured in 1979. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320, 150-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on October 6, 2010. The airplane had accumulated 2,372.4 total hours of operation, including 15.9 hours since the annual inspection. Postcrash examination of the engine after recovery from the accident site was performed by an NTSB investigator. The examination revealed that the engine was heavily fire damaged and fire damage precluded an inspection of the fuel or ignition system. The sparkplugs exhibited normal wear signatures when compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug chart. The valve covers were removed, which revealed the No. 4 valves were seized, consistent with thermal damage from the fire. Additionally, the No. 4 pushrods were warped, the magnetos had melted, and the accessory housing melted. After the accessory housing was removed, the crankshaft was rotated 360 degrees by hand. Camshaft, crankshaft, and valvetrain continuity was confirmed. Thumb compression was attained on cylinder Nos. 1 through 3; however, the compression on cylinder No. 1 was lower than the other two cylinders. Thumb compression could not be attained on cylinder No. 4 due to the seized valves. The examination could not determine if the lower compression on cylinder No. 1 was a preimpact condition, or a result of the impact and fire damage. The 1055 recorded weather, at an airport located about 14 miles southwest of the accident site, included wind from 070 degrees at 8 knots, clear sky and temperature 79 degrees F. The pilot provided weight andbalance data, which revealed that the airplane weighed approximately 2,000 pounds during the accident takeoff. Review of a takeoff data chart, from the same make and model airplane owner's manual, revealed that at sea level, at maximum gross weight, at 79 degrees F, with a 5-knot headwind, the airplane required a ground run of approximately 800 feet for takeoff and 1,465 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The data assumed a hard surface runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8476B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8476B-2014-02-07), registration cancelled 2014-02-07, S/N AA5A-0859, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. 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: AA5A-0859 - Airframe hours: 2372 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Guyton Joseph W - Registered owner: Guyton Joseph W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2010, 16 hours before - Departed: 9NC2, Linden, NC - Destination: 9NC2, Linden, NC - Airport: 9NC2, Flyers Airpark, runway 04, 2,850 × 65 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,619 total, 696 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: FBG, 14 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 20110614015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110614015219A), Jun 14, 2011: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A, Linden, NC, Destroyed. On 6/14/2011, pilot and 3 passenages boarded aircraft for personal flight. Pilot stated, that on take-off and into climb the aircraft was at 15 degree flaps… ## Other investigations on N8476B (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 NYC82DA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA185), Aug 7, 1982: Grumman AA-5A (N8476B), Wiscasset, ME, substantial damage ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80757. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weight And Balance Data (item 3, .PDF, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20And%20Balance%20Data-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt From Owner's Manual (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20From%20Owner%27s%20Manual-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo: Main Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo: Runway (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Runway%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo: Engine (item 8, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Engine-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.