# NTSB MIA85LA129: Grumman AA-5, N5867L, Okeechobee, FL, March 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1985, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.529842, -80.19091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5298&lon=-80.1909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - emergency
  - identification of aircraft visually - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmo) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - overload (contributing factor)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - flutter (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT THE PLT PLACED THE ACFT IN A DIVE TO AVOID WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE LANDING LIGHT OF ANOTHER ACFT. THE LIGHT WAS ACTUALLY A SPACE VEHICLE WHICH HAD JUST BEEN LAUNCHED FROM CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION 60 MILES FROM THE ACFT'S POSITION. DURING THE DIVE THE PLT EXCEEDED THE LIMITATIONS OF THE ACFT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ACFT'S TAILSURFACES WHICH BEGAN TO FLUTTER AFTER LEVEL FLT WAS REGAINED. DURING THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FLD, THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE POST AND NOSED UP, COLLAPSING THE NOSE LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5867L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5867L), registered now, S/N AA5-0067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0067
- Airframe hours: 1480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roman A. Swiezy
- Registered owner: Stan L. Swiezy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1984, 167 hours before
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Destination: FPR, FORT PIERCE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 947 total, 163 in this make and model, 743 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 32 nm away

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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