# NTSB NYC90DEI02: Grumman AA5B, N74242, Beachwood, OH, September 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1990, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Beachwood, OH
- Coordinates: 41.470218, -81.499519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4702&lon=-81.4995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DEI02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DEI02

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO AN IMPROPER ENGINE OVERHAUL PERFORMED BY UNQUALIFIED PERSONS. THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, unqualified person (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle
  - object - wall/barricade
- Fire, landing

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THE RESULTANT FORCED LANDING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND A MOVING AUTOMOBILE. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROADWAY, INTO A GUARDRAIL AND FLIPPED AROUND BEFORE IT CAME TO A REST. POST-IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE AFT OF THE FIREWALL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE AIRPLANE'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER ENGINE OVERHAUL. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED MASSIVE INTERNAL DISINTEGRATION. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON AND WAS NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS/GUIDANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74242](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74242-1991-06-06), registration cancelled 1991-06-06, S/N AA5B0171 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0171
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary A. Audet
- Registered owner: New England Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 29G, RAVENNA, OH
- Destination: CGF, RICHMOND, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,101 total, 20 in this make and model, 2,011 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGF, 30 nm away

## 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 19900911038939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900911038939A), Sep 11, 1990: Gulstm AA5B, Beachwood, OH, Destroyed. Engine failed near destination,struck rear of vehicle on freeway. Engine had undetermined internal failure.

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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