# NTSB NYC86LA226: Grumman AA-5A, N26784, So. Berwick, ME, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: So. Berwick, ME
- Location: 43.2300° N, 70.7981° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Berwick, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2300&lon=-70.7981&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENG POWER WHILE LEVELING OFF AT 2,500 FT MSL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER, POWER WAS NOT REGAINED. THE PLT INITIATED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT BUT ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO REACH THE ARPT. THE ACFT CONTACTED WIRES DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT INTO A FIELD AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO TERRAIN IMPACT. REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS IS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26784](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26784), registered now, S/N AA5A0717 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- 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: AA5A0717
- Airframe hours: 1192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas E. Northup
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1985
- Departed: SANFORD, ME
- Destination: RICHARD, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 400 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- 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 19860901043319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901043319A), Sep 1, 1986: Gulstm AA5A, Sanford, ME, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck wires during a forced landing due to engine failure. Cause of power loss is undetermined.

## Other investigations on N26784 (2)

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 NYC05CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA122), Jul 21, 2005: Gulfstream American AA-5A (N26784), Schroon Lake, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of speed/distance which resulted in an overrun.
- [NTSB CHI81DEP36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEP36), Jul 16, 1981: Gulfstream AA-5A (N26784), Juneau, WI, 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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