# NTSB LAX87LA046: Gulfstream AA-5B, N4520D, Fullerton, CA, November 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1986, 15:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8760° N, 117.9630° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8760&lon=-117.9630&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, dual student (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - not used, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - water (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - not used, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

A GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA-5B LOST POWER AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ON AN IFR TRAINING FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD JUST SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT RUNNING. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PRIVATE PILOT UNDERGOING INSTRUMENT TRAINING CONDUCTED THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WITHOUT THE AID OF THE AIRCRAFT OPERATORS MANUAL. HE DID NOT CHECK THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING FUEL SUMP DRAINS. AIRCRAFT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT WING TANK FUEL SUMPS AND FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. LABRATORY TEST RESULTS INDICATED THE FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED 12.6 % WATER BY VOLUME. THE RIGHT FUEL SUMP ALSO CONTAINED TRACES OF WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE REFUELING TRUCK SAMPLE DID NOT REVEAL ANY IMPURITIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4520D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-1061
- Airframe hours: 1693
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wings Express Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1986, 15 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,398 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,258 as pilot in command, 278 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL, 1 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 19861121060049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861121060049A), Nov 21, 1986: Gulstm AA5B, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed in the pattern and the plane struck a tree. Water in fuel tank. Improper instructor monitoring.

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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