# NTSB LAX81FVA61: Gulf Amer AA-5, N5874L, Independence, CA, September 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 3, 1981
- Place: Independence, CA · INDEPENDENCE, CA
- Location: 36.8303° N, 118.2079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8303&lon=-118.2079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA61
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA61

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2403   81/9/3  NR. INDEPENDENCE,CA   GULF AMER AA-5      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 22, 206
        TIME - 0725                    N5874L              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 30 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          VACAVILLE,CA                NEEDLES,CA                   INDEPENDENCE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5874L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5874L-1983-05-13), registration cancelled 1983-05-13, S/N AA5-0279 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULF AMER AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810903055199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810903055199A), Sep 3, 1981: Grumav AA5, Independence, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Hit trees trying for a clearing. Near service ceiling with higher terrain to cross. Possible carb ice.

## Other investigations on N5874L (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 MIA76DLD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DLD33), Dec 12, 1975: Grum-Amer AA5 (N5874L), Orlando, FL, substantial damage

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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