# NTSB NYC91LA113: Grumman American AA-5A, N9763U, Pleasant Valley, NY, April 14, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1991, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Pleasant Valley, NY - Location: 41.7463° N, 73.8263° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pleasant Valley, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7463&lon=-73.8263&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 36909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36909/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA113 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N5232K TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT AND SEPARATION WITH N9763U. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N5232K TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT AND SEPARATION WITH N9763U. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - formation flying - attempted, pilot in command - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, descent - formation flying - attempted, pilot in command - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE TWO PILOTS AGREED TO FLY TOGETHER AND KEEP IN RADIO CONTACT. AFTER TAKEOFF AND FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, THE CESSNA 172 PILOT SAID HE TURNED TO THE WEST AND WAS STRUCK BY THE GRUMMAN AA5A AFTER 2 3 MINUTES. A GROUND WITNESS AND A WITNESS ON BOARD THE GRUMMAN AA5A SAW THE CESSNA 172 BEHIND THE GRUMMAN. THE SPINNER OF THE CESSNA 172 STRUCK THE LEFT AILERON OF THE GRUMMAN AA5A, AND THE RIGHT WING OF THE CESSNA STRUCK THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND DEFORMED THE RUDDER, ELEVATOR, AND AFT FUSELAGE OF THE GRUMMAN AA5A. THE GRUMMAN AA5A MADE A FORCED LANDING WITH MINIMAL FLIGHT CONTROL IN A WOODED AREA, AND THE CESSNA 172 LANDED AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE TWO PILOTS AGREED TO FLY TOGETHER AND KEEP IN RADIO CONTACT. AFTER TAKEOFF AND FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, THE CESSNA 172 PILOT SAID HE TURNED TO THE WEST AND WAS STRUCK BY THE GRUMMAN AA-5A AFTER 2-3 MINUTES. A GROUND WITNESS AND A WITNESS ON BOARD THE GRUMMAN SAW THE CESSNA 172 BEHIND THE GRUMMAN. THE SPINNER OF THE CESSNA 172 STRUCK THE LEFT AILERON OF THE GRUMMAN, AND THE RIGHT WING OF THE CESSNA STRUCK THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND DEFORMED THE RUDDER, ELEVATOR, AND AFT FUSELAGE OF THE GRUMMAN AA-5A. THE GRUMMAN MADE A FORCED LANDING WITH MINIMAL FLIGHT CONTROL IN A WOODED AREA, AND THE CESSNA 172 LANDED AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N9763U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9763U-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N AA5A-0163, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0163 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lesley A. Lyons - Registered owner: John T. Lyons - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Departed: N69, STORMVILLE, NY ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N5232K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5232K), registered now, S/N 17274024, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274024 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James S. Weeks - Registered owner: James S. Weeks - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Departed: N69, STORMVILLE, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N9763U; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 199 total, 128 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N5232K; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 554 total, 554 in this make and model, 473 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: POU, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19910414010262A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910414010262A), Apr 14, 1991: Gulstm AA5A, Pleasant Valley, Destroyed. Two pilots agreed fly together. Shortly after takeoff N5232K turned into N9763U. Both able land at airport. - [Accident 19910414010261A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910414010261A), Apr 14, 1991: Cessna 172P, Pleasant Valley, Minor damage. Two pilots agreed fly together, shortly airborne collided. Indicates 5232K hit N9763U. Both able to land. 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.