# NTSB FTW84LA002: Grumman American AA-5B, N28745, Midland, TX, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1983, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.989055, -102.080932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9891&lon=-102.0809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND LANDED HARD OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 150-200 FT AGL. HE TRIED TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY. THE PLT LATER SAID HE THOUGHT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO CARBURETOR AIR BLOCKAGE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 87 DEGREES AND THE DEW POINT WAS 60 DEGREES F, WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28745](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28745), registered now, S/N AA5B0789, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0789
- Airframe hours: 975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thurston Mccutchen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1983
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Airport: 7TX6, Sky Ranch, runway 16, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 126 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF

## 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 19831001052649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831001052649A), Oct 1, 1983: Gulstm AA5B, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Stalled trying to land on remaining runway. Cause of power loss unknown.

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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