# NTSB MIA86LA243: Grumman G-44A, N1629H, Hawthorne, FL, August 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1986, 16:43 local (20:43 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, FL
- Coordinates: 29.590293, -82.079727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5903&lon=-82.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA243

## 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
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT UPON TOUCHDOWN ON THE LAKE THE ACFT FELT STRANGE. HE ADDED FULL PWR AND TOOK OFF AGAIN BUT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE NOSE DOVE. HE REMOVED PWR AND WITH THE CONTROLS FULL BACK, THE ACFT HIT THE WATER WITH NO LATERAL CONTROL. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SILICONE PRESENT IN THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK AND IN BOTH FUEL FILTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1629H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1454
- Airframe hours: 5335
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B1D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenn-Air Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1986
- Departed: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,246 total, 89 in this make and model, 3,075 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 15 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 19860826043239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860826043239A), Aug 26, 1986: Gulstm G44A, Hawthorne, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot lost control of the seaplane during abort on a lake. Investigator found silicone in fuel filter and tank.

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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