# NTSB LAX86LA026: Grumman American AA-5A, N26714, Flagstaff, AZ, October 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1985, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230899, -111.720077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2309&lon=-111.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - became lost/disoriented - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - lack of (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE SIGHT-SEEING IN THE VICINITY OF THE GRAND CANYON, HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND LOST. THE FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK WAS EXHAUSTED AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED MINIMUM FUEL. THE PILOT NEGOTIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON THE HARD SURFACE ROAD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT LEFT WING STRUCK A WIRE FENCE. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N26714 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0669
- Airframe hours: 1850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Dewey Aviation
- Registered owner: Mark D. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 26, 1985
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: P32, WILLIAMS, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Flagstaff

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 5 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 10 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 19851025054049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851025054049A), Oct 25, 1985: Gulstm AA5A, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Had minimal fuel in right tank, left tank dry. Landed on a road, swerved off side, hit a fence and a large rock.

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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