# NTSB NYC88LA054: Grumman AA-5A, N26869, Honesdale, PA, January 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Honesdale, PA
- Coordinates: 41.570587, -75.249702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5706&lon=-75.2497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 35 AT CHERRY RIDGE AIRPORT, HONESDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE POWER LOSS AND CRASHED ABOUT 200 FEET OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE PLT FAILED TO FILE AN ACC REPORT. THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN A WOODED SWAMP A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE RWY AND TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE ENG WAS TEST RUN AFTER THE ACC AND RAN NORMALLY. THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR USE OF AUTO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26869](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26869-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N AA5A0775, built 1978 (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: AA-5A0776
- Airframe hours: 4372
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge, runway 35, 2,270 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 140 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880110070429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880110070429A), Jan 10, 1988: Gulstm STCAA5, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Ran selected tank dry on climbout. Crash landed off end of runway.

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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