# NTSB FTW95LA334: Grumman American AA-5B, N4546J, 0wasso, OK, August 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1995, 19:30 local (Aug 6, 1995, 00:30 UTC) - Place: 0wasso, OK - Coordinates: 36.369998, -95.849258 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3700&lon=-95.8493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA334 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY CALCULATE THE PERFORMANCE DATA PRIOR TO TAKEOFF WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - high density altitude - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - performance data - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence - object - fence post ## Analysis THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER EXECUTING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE FROM A 2,400 FOOT GRASS AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT, WITH 4 ADULTS AND ONE TODDLER ABOARD, WAS A COUPLE OF FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE PILOT CLOSED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE AIRPLANE HAD USED APPROXIMATELY 2/3 OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE AIRPLANE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. BRAKING ACTION ON THE GRASS SURFACE DID NOT SLOW THE AIRPLANE DOWN, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RUNWAY, WENT THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, AND IMPACTED FENCE POSTS. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,600 FEET AND THE WINDS WERE CALM. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1995, at 1930 central daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N4546J, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun during takeoff from the Ragtime Aerodrome, near Owasso, Oklahoma. The private pilot, his three adult passengers, and a 2 year old child, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The intended destination was the Richard Jones Airport, near Tulsa, Oklahoma. A weather briefing was not received and a flight plan was not filed for the flight. In the enclosed pilot/operator report, the pilot stated that he had completed similar flights in the same aircraft, with a similar load configuration. The pilot further stated that because of the length of the field, he utilized the a short field takeoff technique. He added that the airplane became airborne "without a stall warning" about 1/3 the distance of the runway; however, he stated that the airplane "did feel heavy at this time." According to the pilot, he kept the airplane within a couple of feet off the ground to allow the aircraft to accelerate. At approximately 2/3 the distance of the 2,400 foot runway the pilot elected to abort the takeoff, and the airplane touched down within a few feet after the throttle was closed. The pilot added that full braking was applied as soon as the airplane touched down. Braking action on the grass surface did not slow the airplane down, and subsequently the airplane overran the runway, went through a barbed wire fence, and impacted fence posts. Weight and balance calculations were performed using figures provided by the pilot/operator. The airplane was found to be within weight and balance limits at the time of the accident. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated at 2,600 feet. Winds at the accident site were reported as calm. In the enclosed statement, the pilot stated "there was essentially no wind." In the enclosed pilot/operator report, the pilot offered "awaiting for better atmospheric conditions" or "ferry passengers via multiple trips to decrease load" as options that could have prevented this accidents. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4546J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4546J), registered now, S/N AA5B1283, built 1979 (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: 1283 - Airframe hours: 1579 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Perry D. Inhofe - Registered owner: James M. Inhofe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1995, 56 hours before - Departed: 090K - Airport: 090K, Ragtime Aerodrome, runway 2, 2,400 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## 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: 385 total, 222 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL ## 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 19950806022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950806022319A), Aug 6, 1995: Gulstm AA5B, Owasso, OK, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff due poor performance. Overran runway. Struck fence. Short grass runway. Near gross. Hot day. ## Other investigations on N4546J (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 FTW99FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA132), May 8, 1999: Grumman American AA-5B (N4546J), Claremore, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue fracture of the propeller bolts resulting from the improper installation of the propeller assembly. 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.