# NTSB NYC90LA119: Grumman American AA5-A, N26302, Plainfield, MA, May 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, MA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE PROPER TANK. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS NEAR THE FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A POWER LOSS, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AS THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE UP TO AVOID TREES AND LANDED HARD. THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT AT THE CARBURETOR OR IN THE LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT TANK. NO MORE THAN 3/4-CUP OF FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE LEFT WING WAS BROKEN AND FUEL WAS POURING OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26302](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26302-1993-08-02), registration cancelled 1993-08-02, S/N AA5A0516 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA5-A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A5A0516
- Airframe hours: 1989
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David S. Mcmillan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1990, 32 hours before
- Departed: PWK, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: B09, TEWKSBURY, MA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 11 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 27 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °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 19900519016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519016709A), May 19, 1990: Gulstm AA5A, Plainefiled, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Stall landed after clearing trees. Fuel selector on right empty tank. Fuel in left tank.

## Other investigations on N26302 (1)

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 FTW79DRA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA36), Aug 11, 1979: Grum-Amer AA-5A (N26302), Brenham, TX, 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.

---
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.