# NTSB ERA23LA286: Grumman American Avn. AA5A, N26387, Redstone Arsenal, AL, July 4, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2023, 14:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Redstone Arsenal, AL
- Coordinates: 34.61007, -86.66769 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6101&lon=-86.6677&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192517/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192517
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA286

## Probable cause

The separation of the clamp assembly securing the throttle control cable outer housing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control the throttle.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/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-landing roll: 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

After takeoff the pilot performed a practice RNAV approach, then climbed to 3,500 ft mean sea level en route to another airport. While at altitude the pilot attempted to adjust the engine power settings, but the engine power “went to low power and was not responding to throttle control inputs.” He declared an emergency and after realizing that the flight was unable to reach a nearby airport, he selected a nearby field with a paved road. After landing on the road, he applied maximum braking, but the left wing impacted a metal pole, resulting in substantial damage to the leading edge of the wing. Postaccident inspection of the engine compartment revealed the throttle control cable assembly remained attached to the throttle control lever of the fuel injection servo, but the outer cable assembly was not secured in the engine compartment. Thus, movement of the throttle control in the cockpit did not result in movement of the throttle control lever. A clamp, shim, two screws, and two metal self-locking nuts that secured the outer cable assembly were not located, but a washer was found loose in the engine compartment. The throttle cable was replaced at the airplane’s last annual inspection 8 months earlier; the airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since the annual inspection. Although it is unlikely that the screws used to secure the cable would have sheared or failed, they were not located. Thus, the reason for the outer cable clamping hardware to separate could not be determined from the available evidence.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2023, about 1407 central daylight time, a Grumman American Aviation AA-5A, N26387, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that earlier that day he departed from the airplane’s home base, flew to Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville, Alabama, performed a RNAV approach, and then climbed to 3,500 ft mean sea level. While at that altitude en route to Guntersville Municipal Airport – Joe Starnes Field, Guntersville, Alabama, and while adjusting the engine power settings, the engine power decreased. He further described that the engine power was at high idle and would not respond to throttle control inputs. At that time, he declared an emergency and descended at slightly above best glide airspeed in an attempt to land at Redstone Arsenal, which he believed was the nearest airfield. When it was apparent that the airplane would be unable to reach the runway, he selected a nearby field with a paved road. After landing on the road, he applied maximum braking; however, the left wing impacted a metal pole, resulting in damage to the leading edge of the wing measuring 39 inches; the total wingspan was 31 ft 6 inches. Postaccident inspection of the engine compartment by an FAA inspector revealed the throttle control cable assembly remained attached to the throttle control lever of the fuel injection servo, but the outer cable assembly was not secured in the engine compartment. Thus, movement of the throttle control in the cockpit did not result in movement of the throttle control lever. A clamp, shim, two screws, and two metal self-locking nuts that secured the outer cable assembly were not located, but a washer was found loose in the engine compartment. A review of the maintenance records revealed the throttle cable was replaced at the airplane’s last annual inspection, which was completed on November 13, 2022. The airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since the annual inspection was completed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26387](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26387), registered now, S/N AA5A0555, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA5A (NO SERIES)
- 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: AA5A0555
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 3902
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 2022, 15 hours before
- Departed: M38, Hazel Green, AL
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 434 total, 204 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KHSV, 6 nm away
- METAR: METAR KHSV 041853Z 19004KT 10SM FEW016 SCT160 BKN250 28/22 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP170 T02780222 $=

## 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 20230704012019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230704012019A), Jul 4, 2023: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger departed Huntsville intl. Airport (khsv) towards guntersville, AL airport (8A1). When adjusting the power settings, the engine went to idle…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192517. 8.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1-pilot-IN-command/owner (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17961390&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Form%20Fm%20PIC_Recd%208%2016%202023_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1- from right seat occupant (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17960998&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Fm%20Rt%20Seat%20Occupant%20EHBale_Recd%208%209%202023_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversations (item 3, PDF, 15 pages, 2 photos, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17960648&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Excerpt from maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17961139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Record%20Entry-Throttle%20Cable%20Replacement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - damage and total wing span information (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17963911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20For%20Record%20-%20Damage%20and%20Wing%20Span%20Information%20v01-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17961053&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_11_2_2023_Redacted-Rel.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.

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