# NTSB FTW80FRA02: Grum-Amer AA-5A, N9983U, Cold Spring, TX, October 12, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 12, 1979
- Place: Cold Spring, TX · COLD SPRING, TX
- Location: 30.5893° N, 95.1312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coldspring, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5893&lon=-95.1312&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FRA02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FRA02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2538  79/10/12   COLD SPRING,TX      GRUM-AMER AA-5A     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 149
        TIME - 1515                    N9983U              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANAHAUC,TX                  HUNTSVILLE,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- #4 CYL EXH VALVE HEAD SEPARATED FROM STEM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9983U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9983U), registered now, S/N AA5A0383 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUM-AMER AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19791012029449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791012029449A), Oct 12, 1979: Gulstm AA5A, Cold Spring, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed due to separation of exhaust valve head on no. 4 cylinder.

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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