# NTSB LAX84LA038: Grumman AA-5B, N28221, Quartzsite, AZ, October 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1983, 17:25 local (Oct 30, 1983, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Quartzsite, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.659793, -114.230735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6598&lon=-114.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO LAND AT A PRIVATE ARPT, NORTHEAST OF QUARTIZITE, AZ. AFTER ARRIVING IN THAT AREA, HE SAW WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE RWY, BUT WHEN HE DESCENDED FOR A CLOSER LOOK, HE DECIDED THAT IT WAS NOT THE RWY. HE REPORTED THAT HE CLIMBED TO APRX 250 FT & STARTED CIRCLING WHEN THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO LAND ON AN ACCESS ROAD BESIDE A FREEWAY. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A TREE & A FENCE. AN EXAM & A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE ENG WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO REASON FOR A POWER LOSS WAS FOUND. ALSO, NO PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28221 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0944
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kuhn'S Bermuda Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1983, 95 hours before
- Departed: BLH, BLYTHE, CA
- Airport: Quartzsive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 780 total, 347 in this make and model, 734 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLH, 24 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 19831029057929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831029057929A), Oct 29, 1983: Gulstm AA5B, Quartzsite, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot reported rough engine caused him to land on a road during which he lost control. Left the road and hit a tree

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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