# NTSB NYC83FA168: Grumman AA-5B, N31ER, Old Bridge, NJ, July 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1983, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Old Bridge, NJ
- Location: 40.3954° N, 74.3312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Old Bridge, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3954&lon=-74.3312&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): 35058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 600 FT WERE ROUTINE. WHEN HE STARTED A LEFT TURN THE ENG 'BEGAN TO LOSE POWER.'THE PLT CONTINUED THE LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESTART AND THE ACFT STUCK TREES ABOUT 1 MI SHORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ABOUT 5 GAL OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT TANK WAS REPORTED, SOME RESIDUAL FUEL WAS NOTED IN THE TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31ER (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0860
- Airframe hours: 4696
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael F. Polito
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1983, 998 hours before
- Destination: LDJ, LINDEN, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,221 total, 92 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 23 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 19830707041439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830707041439A), Jul 7, 1983: Gulstm AA5B, Old Bridge, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine quit at 600 feet after takeoff. Turned back to runway, struck trees. Fuel selector in intermediate position.

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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