# NTSB MKC81FCA23: Grumman AA-5B, N28917, Wentzville, MO, August 4, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 4, 1981
- Place: Wentzville, MO · WENTZVILLE, MO
- Location: 38.8164° N, 90.8670° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wentzville, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8164&lon=-90.8670&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81FCA23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCA23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2245   81/8/4    WENTZVILLE,MO       GRUMMAN AA-5B       CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 28, 70 TOTAL
        TIME - 1300                    N28917              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, 20 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WENTZVILLE,MO               CHESTERFIELD,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CARBON DEPOSITS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- ONLY 2 OF 8 SPARK PLUGS TESTED NORMAL.ALL HAD EXCESSIVE GAP. 3 PLUGS OIL & CARBON FOULED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28917](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28917), registered now, S/N AA5B0888, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810804047459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810804047459A), Aug 4, 1981: Grumav AA5B, Wentzville, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Slammed back on runway, lost control. Veered off runway. Improper, fouled, dirty spark plug

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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