# NTSB NYC87LA079: Grumman American AA-5A, N472EH, Beverly, MA, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 17:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Beverly, MA
- Location: 42.5841° N, 70.9161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BEVERLY RGNL (BVY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5841&lon=-70.9161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landed at wrong airport - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED DURING ENROUTE FLIGHT TO THE MANCHESTER AREA AND LANDED AT BEVERLY AIRPORT INSTEAD. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK, BREAKING OFF THE NOSE GEAR AND RIGHT WHEEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N472EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N472EH-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N AA5-079, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA50079
- Airframe hours: 998
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bryan Kendall
- Registered owner: Steven Lutz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1986, 59 hours before
- Departed: CONCORD, NH
- Destination: NASHUA, NH
- Airport: BVY, Beverly, runway 9, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870207002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207002259A), Feb 7, 1987: Gulstm AA5, Beverly, MA, Substantial damage. Student became lost. Landed at wrong airport. Swerved into snowbank on landing roll. Broke off nose and right gear.

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.