# NTSB SEA78DA037: Grum Amer AA-5A, Kettle Falls, WA, June 10, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 10, 1978
- Place: Kettle Falls, WA · KETTLE FALLS, WA
- Location: 48.6056° N, 118.0620° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kettle Falls, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6056&lon=-118.0620&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78DA037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DA037

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-0011  78/6/10  NR.KETTLE FALLS,WA    GRUM AMER AA-5A     CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 1925
        TIME - 1130                    C-GMWC              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 3 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CASTLEGAR,BC                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- STRUCK POWER LINES OVER COLUMBIA RIVER AT 70 FT AGL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: C-GMWC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUM AMER AA-5A
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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