# NTSB LAX84FA280: Grumman American AA-5B, N28867, Placerville, CA, May 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1984, 04:47 local (11:47 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729804, -120.799674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7298&lon=-120.7997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA280

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT LIVED NEAR THE ARPT & HAD BEEN COMMUTING TO SACRAMENTO, CA FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. RWY 27 WAS THE PROMINANT RWY & THE ARPT WAS SURROUNDED BY HILLS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 2 MI WEST OF THE ARPT WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 060 DEG. SEVERAL FAMILIES HEARD THE ACFT START & TAKEOFF. ONE PERSON, WHO WAS A PLT, ESTIMATED THE WX WAS ABOUT 100 FT OVERCAST, 1/4 MI VISIBILITY, WING CALM WITH MODERATE RAINFALL. A FARMER NEAR THE CRASH SITE SAID HE HEARD THE ACFT TAKEOFF, & SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENG MADE A MUCH LOUDER SOUND, AS IF THE PLANE WAS IN A POWER DIVE. NO RECORDS WERE FOUND TO INDICATE THE PLT HAD ANY INSTRUMENT TRAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28867-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N AA5B0873, built 1978 (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: 0873
- Airframe hours: 1278
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David E. Treat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1983, 15 hours before
- Departed: 61Q
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: Swansboro Country, runway 27, 3,235 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °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 19840503015699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840503015699A), May 3, 1984: Gulstm AA5B, Placerville, CA, Destroyed. Pilot departed in IMC and aircraft crashed 2 miles west of airport.

## Other investigations on N28867 (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 LAX82DA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA108), Apr 16, 1982: Grum Amer AA-5B (N28867), Placerville, 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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