# NTSB NYC92LA007: Grumman AA-5A, N26697, Boxboro, MA, October 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1991, 08:12 local (12:12 UTC)
- Place: Boxboro, MA
- Location: 42.4918° N, 71.5273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boxboro, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4918&lon=-71.5273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT TO REMOVE ICE/FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT WINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - guy wire

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT FAILED TO REMOVE AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AT A GROSS WEIGHT AT OR NEAR MAXIMUM AND SETTLED INTO A GROVE OF TREES APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE OFF THE END OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26697](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26697-1994-02-23), registration cancelled 1994-02-23, S/N AA5A0653 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0653
- Airframe hours: 5278
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stone Aviation Service
- Registered owner: Stone Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 6B6, STOW, MA
- Airport: 6B6, Minuteman, runway 3, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 40 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Observed at: 6B6, 1 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 19911013046029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911013046029A), Oct 13, 1991: Gulstm AA5A, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. Took off without removing ice and frost from lift surfaces. Settled into trees a mile from 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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