# NTSB MIA87LA230: Grumman American AA-5, N100UA, Vega Baja, PR, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Vega Baja, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - descent - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD DESCENDED FROM 4500 FT TO GET OUT OF THE CLOUDS & AT 1300 FT, THE ENG BECAME ROUGH. HE STATED THE RPM DROPPED FROM 2300 TO 1000. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARB HEAT PRIOR TO OR DURING THE DESCENT. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE CHECKED HIS MAGS DURING THE DESCENT, THE RT ONE WAS INOP. THE PLT ADVISED THAT WHEN THE RECOVERY TEAM RETURNED TO THE CRASH SITE THE NEXT MORNING, SCAVENGERS HAD ALL BUT COMPLETELY STRIPPED THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100UA-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N AA5-0774, built 1975 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0774
- Airframe hours: 1630
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cesar A. Rivera
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1987
- Departed: TGIG, ISLA GRANDE, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 419 total, 231 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 25 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 19870823066899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823066899A), Aug 23, 1987: Gulstm AA5, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Damaged landing in a field. Mag inoperative, made long descent in clouds without carb heat.

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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