# NTSB LAX82FUG14: Grumman AA-5, N7115L, Bermuda Dunes, CA, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1982, 05:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Location: 33.7435° N, 116.2873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bermuda Dunes, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7435&lon=-116.2873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUG14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUG14

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - erratic (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - output low (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT. THE ACFT LANDED IN SAND DUNES AND FLIPPED OVER. DURING A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENG RAN NORMALLY AT LOW POWER SETTINGS BUT AT TAKEOFF POWER SETTINGS IT DEVELOPED AN APPARENT IGNITION PROBLEM IN THAT THE ENG MISFIRED & SURGED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS NOT DEVELOPING SUFFICIENT VOLTAGE OUTPUT. THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE LIFE OF THE MAGNETO IS 900 HOURS & IT APPEARED THIS MAGNETO WAS IN SERVICE FOR 1897 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7115L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7115L-1982-11-27), registration cancelled 1982-11-27, S/N AA5-0415 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L3459327A
- Airframe hours: 1898
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. L. Davenport
- Registered owner: J. L. Davenport
- Departed: BERMUDA DUNES, CA
- Destination: SHERIDAN, WY
- Airport: Bermuda Dunes, runway 29, 4,030 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 481 total, 22 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 160 °F

## 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 19820715029099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820715029099A), Jul 15, 1982: Gulstm AA5, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff after engine malfunction and attempted emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N7115L (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 OAK74FVG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVG62), Jun 2, 1974: Amer Avco AA-5 (N7115L), Auburn, CA, 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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