# NTSB FTW82DA352: Grumman AA-1, N5788L, Pearland, TX, August 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1982, 19:33 local (Aug 29, 1982, 00:33 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Coordinates: 29.550386, -95.269226 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5504&lon=-95.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA352

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING AN ENGINE RUN-UP, BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH ON ONE MAGNETO. HE DID NOT STATE WHICH. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ENGINE WAS LEANED, THE ROUGHNESS DISAPPEARED AND A TAKEOFF WAS MADE. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT OFF, THRUST WAS INADEQUATE TO PRODUCE A CLIMB. HE WAS ABLE TO CLEAR A DITCH AND SOME SMALL TREES BEFORE BEING FORCED TO LAND. HOWEVER, DURING THE LAND ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RAILROAD TRACK SHEARING OFF THE NOSE AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH THROUGHOUT THE TAXI, RUN-UP, AND TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5788L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5788L-1984-12-27), registration cancelled 1984-12-27, S/N AA1-0188 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0188
- Airframe hours: 1285
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sidney C. Irby
- Registered owner: Sidney C. Irby
- Departed: 21T, PEARLAND, TX
- Destination: 21T, PEARLAND, TX
- Airport: 21T, Houston Airpark, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 862 total, 862 in this make and model, 805 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 189 °F

## 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 19820828058049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820828058049A), Aug 28, 1982: Gulstm AA1A, Pearland, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after power loss during takeoff.

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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