# NTSB MKC86LA158: Grumman AA-5A, N9835U, Audubon, IA, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Audubon, IA
- Coordinates: 41.710941, -94.92044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7109&lon=-94.9204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) in error, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER DURING THE BRAKE RELEASE AND TAKEOFF ROLL BUT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO LIFT-OFF SPEED AS FAST AS EXPECTED. UPON REACHING 70 M.P.H.(61 KTS.), AND AFTER A TAKEOFF ROLL OF 2,000 FEET, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT HE ROTATED AND LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE CONCRETE RUNWAY BUT KEPT THE AIRCRAFT IN GROUND EFFECT WHEN IT WAS UNABLE TO REACH CLIMB SPEED. P.I.C. ABORTED THE TAKEOFF PAST THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE END BY REDUCING POWER AND LOWERING THE NOSE AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A GRASSY CLEARWAY INSIDE THE AIRPORT PERIMETER. POST-ACCIDENT CALCULATIONS REVEAL THAT THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE WAS AT OR VERY CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT (MTOGW), AND WITHIN C.G. LIMITS. AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE ESTIMATES, BASED ON FIELD ELEVATION AND NONSTANDARD TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 3,600 FEET WITH HEADWINDS OF LESS THAN FIVE KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9835U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9835U-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N AA5A0235, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0235
- Airframe hours: 825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C & M Pallet Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1985, 7 hours before
- Destination: OFK, NORFOLK, NE
- Airport: ADU, Audubon Muni, runway 14, 3,000 × 60 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,570 total, 126 in this make and model, 1,342 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 57 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 19860727035309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727035309A), Jul 27, 1986: Gulstm AA5A, Audubon, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft overran the rnway during abort. The pilot failed to compute performance at high density altitude.

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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