# NTSB MIA89FA027: Grumman AA5A, N9975U, Tampa, FL, November 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1988, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.000259, -82.51081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0003&lon=-82.5108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THE AREA OF LAKE THONOTOSASSA JUST BEFORE IT STRUCK THE TOP STATIC WIRE OF A GROUP OF POWER LINES. IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED INTO AN ORANGE GROVE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. THE WX WAS GOOD WITH A CLEAR SKY CONDITION & 15 MI VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9975U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9975U-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N AA5A0375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0375
- Airframe hours: 977
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Forehand, Luther W.
- Registered owner: Luther W Forehand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: TPF, TAMPA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 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 19881111050539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881111050539A), Nov 11, 1988: Gulstm AA5A, Tampa, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Made low passes in area, struck a powerline. Crashed out of control.

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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