# NTSB MIA82DA033: Grumman AA5B, N28607, Monticello, FL, January 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1982, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, FL
- Coordinates: 30.539194, -83.869598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5392&lon=-83.8696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER BEING DENIED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO LAND AT TAMPA-ST.PETERSBURG THE PILOT ELECTED TO CANCEL HIS FLIGHT PLAN TO TALLAHASSEE AND FLY TO NEW ORLEANS. ABOUT 5 1/2 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT HE DECIDED TO DIVERT TO GULFPORT, MS AND TUNED IN THE GULFPORT VOR (109.0 MHZ). ALTHOUGH HE HAD BEEN FLYING A HEADING OF 283 DEGREES AT 190 DME THE OBS NOW READ 005 DEGREES AND 75 MILES DME. AFTER CROSSING THE COASTLINE HE COULDN'T FIND THE AIRPORT AND CONTINUED FLYING UNTIL FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A SWAMP. THE GREENVILLE VOR IS ALSO ON FREQUENCY 109.0 MHZ AND IS LOCATED 226 MILES EAST OF THE GULFPORT VOR. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 10 MILES FROM THE GREENVILLE VOR STATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28607](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28607-1982-07-29), registration cancelled 1982-07-29, S/N AA-5B-0702 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0702
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John W. Giffen
- Registered owner: John W. Giffen
- Departed: HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Destination: TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 451 total, 57 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast

## 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 19820113000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820113000819A), Jan 13, 1982: Grumav AA5B, Monticello, FL, Destroyed. Unable to obtain special VFR when en route weather worsened. Wrong VOR to alternate. Ran out of fuel. Swamp landing

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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