# NTSB LAX87LA312: Gulfstream American AA-5A, N26250, Tucson, AZ, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149929, -110.92929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1499&lon=-110.9293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA312

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER & HE WAS UNABLE TO LAND BACK AT THE AIRPORT. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY LINE & POLE. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A ROCKER ARM ON THE #4 CYLINDER HAD FAILED. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE PART SHOWED IT HAD FAILED FROM HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26250](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26250-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N AA5A0484 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Opengart, Arnold
- Registered owner: Opengart, Arnold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TUS
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl, runway 3, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 598 total, 78 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUC, 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 19870823047229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047229A), Aug 23, 1987: Gulstm AA5A, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine failure on climbout. Struck a powerline and a power pole on landing. Failed cylinder had bogus rocker arm.

## Other investigations on N26250 (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 DEN79DQD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DQD02), Feb 13, 1979: Grum Amer AA5A (N26250), Deming, NM, 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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