# NTSB NYC85LA008: Grumman American AA5A, N26759, Corinth, NY, October 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1984, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Corinth, NY
- Coordinates: 43.240871, -73.830558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2409&lon=-73.8306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA008

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - landed at wrong airport - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

DURING AN APRX 45 MIN FLIGHT THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED AND FLEW AN APCH TO A SOD AREA THAT HE MISTAKENLY IDENTIFIED AS HIS DESIRED DEST. DURING THE APCH THE ACFT CONTACTED WIRES CAUSING THE ACFT TO DESCEND OUT OF CONTROL INTO A RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26759](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26759-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N AA5A0698, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA5A
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5a) (registry code 3970104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0698
- Airframe hours: 1372
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cella, Joseph
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1983
- Departed: NY43, PISECO, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 775 total, 228 in this make and model, 691 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19841007054469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841007054469A), Oct 7, 1984: Gulstm AA5A, Corinth, NY, Substantial damage. Mistook sod field for grass runway. Struck wires on approach to sod field, then fell into river.

## Other investigations on N26759 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC81FFA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FFA23), Aug 18, 1981: Gulf Amer AA-5A (N26759), Amsterdam, NY, substantial damage

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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