# NTSB NYC08CA288: Grumman American AA-5A, N26316, Carrollton, KY, June 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2008, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Carrollton, KY - Coordinates: 38.693054, -85.144447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6931&lon=-85.1444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68779 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68779/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA288 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 177 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 187 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot visually observed approximately 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing tank and 8 gallons in the right fuel tank, of the Grumman AA-5A. His examination of the fuel gauges confirmed the same amount. He performed a run-up inspection, departed from the airport, and after approximately 45 minutes he noticed the engine oil temperature began to rise. Shortly after, the engine rpm decreased to 1800 rpm, the pilot initiated a descent, and looked for a place to land. He proceeded toward a grass landing strip and when the airplane was at an altitude of 500 feet, the engine lost power. He realized he would not be able to make it to the landing site, and performed a forced landing to the river ahead of him. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the occupants egressed and swam to shore. After the airplane was recovered from the river, 10-12 gallons of fuel were drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left fuel tank was empty, and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank. ## Factual narrative Prior to departure, the pilot visually observed approximately 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing tank and 8 gallons in the right fuel tank. His examination of the fuel gauges confirmed the same amount. He performed a run-up inspection, departed from the airport, and after approximately 45 minutes he noticed the engine oil temperature began to rise. Shortly after, the engine rpm decreased to 1800 rpm, and the pilot initiated a descent and looked for a place to land. He proceeded toward a grass landing strip and when the airplane was at an altitude of 500 feet the engine lost power. He realized he would not be able to make it to the landing site, and performed a forced landing to the river ahead of him. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the occupants egressed and swam to shore. After the airplane was recovered from the river, 10-12 gallons of fuel were drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left fuel tank was empty, and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26316](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26316-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N AA5A0530, built 1978 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5A0530 - Airframe hours: 5150 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Glen Moorman - Registered owner: Hfg Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2008 - Departed: IMS, MADISON, IN - Destination: IMS, MADISON, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 61 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 34 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 20080625840929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080625840929A), Jun 25, 2008: Amrgen AA5A, Carrolton, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 06, 2008 at approximately 11:30 easter daylight time a Grumman cheetah AA5A, N26316. The engine failed to continue to operate and was forced to… 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.