# NTSB NYC04CA129: Grumman American AA-5, N7132L, Greene, RI, May 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2004, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Greene, RI - Coordinates: 41.696666, -71.783607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6967&lon=-71.7836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59283/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA129 ## Probable cause The pilots improper decision to depart with the flaps set to 10 degrees, and his failure to obtain proper airspeed, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - short field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis While departing from the 1,600-foot long, grass runway, with the flaps set to 10 degrees, the pilot realized that the airspeed was too slow to climb out, and there was not sufficient runway to abort the takeoff. As the airplane continued, the left wing came in contact with a tree top and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent corn field. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane was not flown beyond its capabilities, and that the high density altitude and the short grass runway were the cause of the accident. In addition, the "Before Take-Off" checklist required the flaps to be selected to the "UP" position (zero degrees) prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2004, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Grumman-American AA-5, N7132L, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Riconn Airport (RI11), Greene, Rhode Island. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a normal engine run-up, and decided to add 10 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. During the takeoff from runway 27, a 1,600-foot-long, grass runway, the airplane became airborne, approximately 300 feet into the takeoff roll. At that point, the pilot realized that the airspeed was too low to climb-out and there was not sufficient runway to abort the takeoff. As the airplane continued, the left wing came in contact with a tree top and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent corn field. After touchdown, the airplane bounced, veered left, and came to rest in a wooded area. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane was not flown beyond its capabilities, and that the high density altitude and the short grass runway were the cause of the accident. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. The "Short Field Take-Off" procedure, as described in the Grumman-American owners manual, stated that " After alignment in the take-off direction, advance the throttle and begin the take-off roll with the elevator neutral. At 60 MPH apply elevator back pressure for rotation, then climb at 73 MPH while in ground effect below 50 ft. If terrain and other obstacles are to be cleared after take-off and above the 50 foot obstacle, accelerate to best angle of climb ( 78 MPH at sea level) ." In addition, the "Before Take-Off" checklist required the flaps to be selected to the "UP" position (zero degrees) prior to takeoff. The owners manual did not include a performance chart to calculate the takeoff distance from a grass runway. A weather observation at the Theodore Francis Green State Airport, located approximately 16 miles southwest of the private airport, reported about the time of the accident, included winds from 160 degrees at 9 knots, temperature 69 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 59 degrees Fahrenheit and altimeter setting 29.83 inches of Hg. The calculated density altitude was approximately 1,040 feet msl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7132L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7132L-2004-08-02), registration cancelled 2004-08-02, S/N AA5-0432, built 1973 (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: 0432 - Airframe hours: 2100 - Engines: Lycoming O 320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leslie Jo Capozzi - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2003, 45 hours before - Departed: Greene, RI - Destination: Greene, RI - Airport: RI11, Riconn Airport, runway 27, 1,600 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 13, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 331 total, 325 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: PVD, 16 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 20040523012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040523012649A), May 23, 2004: Amrgen AA5, Greene, RI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot's written statement for a CT state police officer stated: his total experience at the airstrip is one full stop landing. The windsock showed… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.