# NTSB LAX82DA159: Grumman AA-5B, N34ER, Paulden, AZ, April 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1982, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Paulden, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.900501, -112.430809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9005&lon=-112.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING AFTER FOLLOWING THE PRESCRIBED RESTART PROCEDURES THE STUDENT, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE INSTRUCTOR, EXECUTED HER SECURING PROCEDURES. IT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S POLICY TO LET THE STUDENT ACTUALLY MOVE THE PROPER CONTROL THEN HE WOULD IMMEDIATELY PLACE IT BACK IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE STUDENT TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE OFF POSITION BUT THE INSTRUCTOR FAILED TO SWITCH IT BACK. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 550 FEET AGL THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND APPLIED GO-AROUND POWER. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO PRODUCE POWER THE INSTRUCTOR NOTICED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT TO THE LEFT TANK BUT HAD TO ACCOMPLISH A FORCED LANDING BECAUSE THE ENGINE FAILED TO REGAIN POWER. TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD AND THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO A RESTING POSITION ABOUT 180 DEGREES DIVERGENT FROM THE LANDING DIRECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N34ER (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0887
- Airframe hours: 3341
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Embry-Riddle University
- Registered owner: Embry-Riddle University
- Departed: PRESCOTT, AZ
- Destination: PRESCOTT, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,195 total, 526 in this make and model, 1,052 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 14 nm away

## 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 19820415016459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415016459A), Apr 15, 1982: Grumav AA5B, Paulden, AZ, Substantial damage. Student turned off fuel as instructed for practice forced landing. CFI failed to reset selector. Desert landing.

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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