# NTSB MKC83LA193: Grumman American AA-5A, N9703U, Keytesville, MO, August 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 20:15 local (Aug 15, 1983, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Keytesville, MO
- Coordinates: 39.429119, -92.929725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4291&lon=-92.9297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER DEPARTURE HE CLIMBED TO 2000 FEET MSL, ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE FOR 2500 RPM AND LEANED THE MIXTURE FOR CRUISE FLIGHT. THE ENGINE SLOWED TO 2000 RPM SO HE SELECTED THE OPPOSITE FUEL TANK, MOVED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE. HE DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT. THE RPM DID NOT INCREASE AND THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND SO HE DECIDED TO LAND. AS HE APPROACHED THE OPEN FIELD HE HAD SELECTED FOR LANDING, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED LOWER AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT SPUN TO THE GROUND, IMPACTING A CORN FIELD WHILE MOVING REARWARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9703U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9703U-1991-05-06), registration cancelled 1991-05-06, S/N AA5A0103 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A 0103
- Airframe hours: 180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E-2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Darrell Wattenbarger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: COU, COLUMBIA, MO
- Destination: BZK, BROOKFIELD, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 657 total, 645 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 80 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 19830814045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814045399A), Aug 14, 1983: Gulstm AA5A, Keytesville, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit tree during emergency landing after engine failure.

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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