# NTSB LAX82FA237: Grumman American AA5A, N26668, Phoenix, AZ, June 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1982, 11:14 local (18:14 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.659679, -112.179801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6597&lon=-112.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA237

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 TO 300 FEET AGL. WITNESSES DESCRIBE A BANK TO THE LEFT WHICH STEEPENED UNTIL THE WINGS WERE PERPENDICULAR TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN MADE A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26668](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26668-1982-09-27), registration cancelled 1982-09-27, S/N AA5A-0627, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0627
- Airframe hours: 1330
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Academy Flyers
- Registered owner: James B. Reck
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 112 total, 12 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 207 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 15 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 19820629025399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820629025399A), Jun 29, 1982: Gulstm AA5A, Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft dived into ground from a vertical bank at a low altitude. Wreckage indicates the aircraft stalled.

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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