# NTSB NYC85LA214: Grumman American AA-5, N5405L, Montgomery, NY, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, NY
- Coordinates: 41.519866, -74.230865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5199&lon=-74.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL HE WAS IN A DESCENT ABOUT 12 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT. HE SAID THAT A LARGE BIRD SUDDENLY APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE ACFT & COLLIDED WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE BIRD STRIKE PUT A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT WING ROOT, SEVERED A FUEL LINE & DAMAGED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, BUT THE ACFT WAS LANDED SAFELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5405L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5405L), registered now, S/N AA5-0305 (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: 0305
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sheridan Sheiner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1984, 108 hours before
- Departed: N43, EASTON, PA
- Airport: MGJ, Orange County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,959 total, 1,959 in this make and model, 1,743 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 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).

- [Incident 19850816047419I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816047419I), Aug 16, 1985: Gulstm AA5, Montgomery, NY, Substantial damage. Struck a turkey buzzard while at cruise. Fowl impacted wing causing gas leak.

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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