# NTSB MIA85LA173: Grumman American AA-5, N9541L, High Springs, FL, May 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1985, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: High Springs, FL
- Coordinates: 29.820871, -82.589736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8209&lon=-82.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF WITH 2200 RPM, BUT SHORTLY AFTER ROTATION, THE RPM STARTED TO DECREASE & THE ACFT LOST ALTITUDE & LANDED IN THE TOP OF A LARGE OAK TREE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR INLET FINGER SCREEN HAD A 75% BLOCKAGE OF UNCURED FUEL TANK SEALANT RESULTING IN A RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9541L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9541L-1988-05-20), registration cancelled 1988-05-20, S/N AA50539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA-5-0539
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marvin D. Marshall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1985, 19 hours before
- Airport: High Springs, runway 36, 2,600 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,941 total, 208 in this make and model, 71 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 18 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 19850517018269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850517018269A), May 17, 1985: Gulstm AA5, High Springs, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power after rotation and stalled aircraft into top of trees. Carburetor inlet screen blocked by tank sealant.

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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