# NTSB LAX85FA078: Grumman AA-5B, N74463, Corona, CA, December 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1984, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,other - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING MAINT OF THE ENG, & JUST BEFORE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS SIGNED OFF, SOMEONE PARTIALLY LOOSENED & THEN ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE OLD LOCKPLATE WAS NOT REPLACED & WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED ABOUT THE BOLT. AS A RESULT OF A  LOOSE BOLT THE DOWEL PIN, ALIGNING THE GEAR WITH THE CRANKSHAFT, THE GEAR SHIFTED POSITION & THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PLT FAILED TO LOWER THE WING FLAPS, & STRUCK A DIRT DITCH SHORT OF HIS INTENDED EMERG LANDING SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74463](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74463-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N AA5B-0236, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: AA5B-0236
- Airframe hours: 1252
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard Stanley Goldman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1984, 58 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona Municipal, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 419 total, 166 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 6 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 19841220069539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841220069539A), Dec 20, 1984: Gulstm AA5B, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit after takeoff, hit wires and embankment during landing. Crankshaft gear bolt improperly installed.

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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