# NTSB NYC89LA031: Grumman AA-5, N30FA, Latrobe, PA, November 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1988, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Latrobe, PA
- Coordinates: 40.309173, -79.379699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3092&lon=-79.3797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA031

## Probable cause

LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE TAXIING AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNDER THE CONTROL OF A RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, TAXIING FOR DEPARTURE. HE SAID HE WAS TAXIING 6-8 MPH AND WHEN HE TRIED THE BRAKES THE LEFT ONE FAILED AND THE RIGHT WORKED, VEERING THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE TAXIWAY AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FAA SUBMITTED A DRAWING SHOWING THAT THE AIRCRAFT LEFT 31 FEET OF SKID MARKS ON THE RUNWAY AND SLID AN ADDITIONAL 42 FEET ON A GRASSY AREA PRIOR TO GOING DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDALS WOULD BLEED DOWN IF SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS HELD ON THEM. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD RECOVER WITH ONE PUMP OF THE BRAKES. THE PILOT HAD 2.5 HOURS IN MAKE AND MODEL WITH 1.1 HOURS AS PILOT IN COMMAND. THE FAA EXAMINER WHO FLEW WITH THIS PLT ON 2-5-88 FOR HIS PRIVATE PLT CHECKRIDE MADE A CRITICISM THAT THE PLT TAXIED TOO FAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30FA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30FA-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N AA5-0103, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- 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: AA5-01013
- Airframe hours: 2601
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen A. Alber
- Registered owner: D&G Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1988, 110 hours before
- Departed: AGC, W. MIFFLIN, PA
- Destination: LBE, LATROBE, PA
- Airport: LBE, Westmoreland Co., runway 23, 7,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 3 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBE

## 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 19881115050699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881115050699A), Nov 15, 1988: Gulstm AA5, Latrobe, PA, Substantial damage. Taxiing too fast and unfamiliar with swiveling nose wheel ran off taxiway down an embankment.

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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